My Workplace Is Not a Safe Place: Transgressive Behavior and Workplace Harassment in Veterinary Clinics in the Netherlands

Abstract

Workplace harassment and transgressive behavior—including aggression, bullying, sexual harassment, and discrimination—is a growing concern in society, including veterinary practice, worldwide. This study explores its prevalence in Dutch veterinary clinics serving different animal species, using an anonymous online survey conducted between December 2023 and January 2024. In total, 632 responses were included in the analyses. The respondents were grouped into veterinary support staff, i.e., nurses, technicians, and receptionists (54.1%), veterinarians (35.1%), practice managers (9.7%), and other (1.1%). The respondents mostly identified themselves as female (94.0%). The findings reveal that 69.6% of respondents experienced at least one form of transgressive behavior in 2023. Aggression was the most common (59.7%), followed by bullying (35.8%), discrimination (14.1%), and sexual harassment (5.9%). Younger professionals (aged ≤ 30) and veterinary support staff reported significantly more aggression and bullying than other groups (p < 0.005). Client-related incidents dominated aggression and bullying (p < 0.001), while colleagues and supervisors together accounted for most discrimination (p < 0.001). The results underscore an urgent need for interventions and cultural change in the veterinary sector.