Unintentional barriers in the veterinary workplace can affect team members with visible, non-visible, temporary, or chronic conditions. These barriers may show up in ordinary routines, communication patterns, workflow expectations, and physical environments. How do systems, habits, and daily practices shape everyone’s ability to contribute to your workplace? In this module, your team will be introduced to universal design approaches that encourage collaboration and belonging without requiring personal disclosure or singling anyone out.

Workplaces across all industries are experiencing something unprecedented: for the first time in modern workforce history, four to five generations are working together at once. In the veterinary profession, this means seasoned professionals, early-career veterinarians, students, and technicians all bring distinct strengths shaped by different eras of training, technology, and lived experience. In many workplaces, these strengths operate side-by-side rather than in partnership. Building awareness of how age-related assumptions and habits can limit this exchange allows teams to more intentionally share insights, learn from one another, and tap into the full value of the multigenerational veterinary team.

Veterinary professionals routinely navigate belief-based discussions around vaccination, medical interventions, handling of animals, and euthanasia. Different belief backgrounds—religious, spiritual, and non-religious—can also show up in workplace interactions between team members. Organizations, their staff, and their clients are better off when beliefs are identified and addressed proactively. Small shifts in awareness and communication can foster a sense of belonging for all employees.