At UNAVETS we are well aware of the importance of generating trust, integrity and commitment with our employees. It has been a difficult time period for the veterinary sector, which currently faces multiple risks with burnout, short staffing related to COVID and generally higher turnover. UNAVETS wants all of its clinical team members to feel motivated and receive recognition for their good performance under difficult and challenging circumstances.
Junko Sheehan, CEO of UNAVETS, comments, “It is clear that the recent boom in pet ownership has increased demand for veterinary healthcare. Likewise, there is a shortage of vets everywhere and all clinics are under some level of stress. If we tack on high inflation to that mix (5-6% in Spain), it is a situation where we must make it a priority to support our teams, even more so now. As a result, we have put in place some key actions– a universal base salary wage increase, training, improved conditions and benefits such as health insurance.”
- Base Salary Wage Increase – In January 2022, the company will offer all employees in Spain, a minimum 5% increase to the convenio base pay.
- Health Insurance – In December 2021, the company offered all employees of the group in Spain, currently more than 330 individuals, private medical and dental insurance paid by the company, without shortages or co-payments.
- Training – Throughout 2021 we offered a total of 21 veterinary trainings in an online and face-to-face format, both theoretical and practical, open to more than 550 employees. The veterinary sector is changing and evolving significantly at the moment and, therefore, from UNAVETS we are committed to continuous training on veterinary medicine.
- HR Policies and Procedures – Also during 2021, the Human Resources department developed the corporate policies and procedures and an employee guide, on health and safety, vacations, workplace harassment, overtime policies, among many others, that have laid the foundations of the group in terms of Human Resources.
Jaime Díaz, Marketing Director of UNAVETS, states, “At UNAVETS we have a family culture and it has been a challenge to continue to promote it during the pandemic. To reinforce this we will be holding frequent corporate events and an annual congress for all team members.”
About the UNAVETS Group
The UNAVETS Group, currently one of the largest veterinary health groups in Iberia, has more than 550 professionals working in 63 veterinary centers, 29 in Spain and 34 in Portugal, thus continuing its rapid expansion. The Group is focused on supporting clinics with its “shared services” model, providing marketing, finance, operations, purchasing, human resources and IT support to all its clinics. At the same time, the Group continues to innovate and develop new service lines, improve digital engagement with its customers and promote collaboration and continuous professional development and veterinary training of clinical teams.
UNAVETS was funded in December 2019 with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management L.P. (“Oaktree”). Oaktree is a leader among global investment managers specializing in alternative investments, with $158 billion under asset management as of September 30, 2021. Oaktree Europe manages more than €5.6 billion in assets under management.
