Disingenuous Management Style - Anonymous employee VCA Employee Review

1.0
11 Jun 2013
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Reliable salary and benefits for doctors. Many hospitals are well equipped with modern diagnostic equipment. The CE requirement for doctors in stringent, typically doctors are current and up to date.

Cons

Most hospitals are managed with a reactionary, 'fly by the seat of your pants' management style. Policies and procedures are deliberately vague to allow management maximum flexibility to 'leverage' staff. Mid level management is under incredible pressure to meet targets and have no support in creating a positive work environment. Technicians are often shorted full time hours to make financial targets.Hospitals are so understaffed that work environment is stressful for reception, technician, and doctor teams.

Explore other reviews about VCA

5.0
8 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Small animal, exotics, free care to wildlife, opportunities to work with zoo animals. Internal promotions to change all management has made the work environment very positive. Boarding facilities. Opportunity for certifying for internal crematory.

Cons

Pay rate less than expected for experience level. Corporate in California has increased prices every year that is causing all of my friends and family to change vets. With our rural area and low average income, pets are getting euthanized instead of having testing and treatment. Staff should have more discounts for employee pets.

4.0
12 Jun 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

This company offers many opportunities for doctors and techs to grow in their careers. They provide tons of support and they've been making HUGE changes to veterinary medicine on a whole. I have never known another company to offer so many benefits and perks for staff (especially techs), and they're even making lots of effort to invest in the veterinary receptionists-the front line associates of the hospital. They're also making great strides to acknowledge some of the feedback we've had for many years. They're savvy and smart, making business decisions that build on a company that will be around a long time (and has.)

Cons

There have been times where transparency and communication are lacking, and sometimes to the point where hospital-level employees feel left out or unheard. Some bigger topics like onboarding and navigating what support comes from where could be more clear. It feels like they've been fusing on new concepts/policies/features to the company, making it feel like a clunky machine rather than building something new and streamlined. Maybe it's in the works, but how do we know down here?

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