Citation Podcast

Running a successful veterinary practice is about clinical expertise and people.  Recruitment challenges. Retention pressures. Flexible working requests. Performance concerns. Team conflict.  In our new podcast, Adrian Brine, Partnership Manager at Citation, is joined by:  Emma McGrath, Professional Support Solicitor at Citation  Chris White, Operations & Development Director and Board Chair at VMG  Steven Goodear, SPVS Board Member and Practice Owner at Black Sheep Vets  Together, they explore the real HR challenges facing veterinary practices today – and how to manage them without overcomplicating processes or creating unnecessary bureaucracy.  What you’ll learn  Recruitment and retention in a competitive market Why hiring feels harder than ever — and how clearer job adverts, transparent salaries and flexible working options can improve candidate quality. And how culture, progression and workload balance play a critical role.  Managing performance and flexible working fairly How to intervene early when issues arise, document conversations properly and create accountability, without turning your practice into a rulebook-driven environment.  Handling conflict before it escalates In a high-pressure clinical setting, tensions can build quickly. Our panel shares practical ways to:  Improve communication  De-escalate misunderstandings  Run constructive one-to-ones  Create psychological safety within teams Common HR mistakes to avoid From outdated contracts and inconsistent documentation to avoiding difficult conversations, we discuss the predictable (and preventable) errors that increase turnover and stress.  Why this episode matters  As practices grow and teams expand, managing people becomes more complex. What worked with five team members may not work with forty.  The good news? Most HR challenges are manageable with early conversations, clear communication and consistent leadership.  This episode is packed with practical insight to help practice leaders build teams people want to stay in.

HSE inspections don’t have to feel intimidating.  In a busy veterinary practice, where teams are balancing surgeries, consults, emergencies and client expectations, the thought of a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) visit can feel like yet another pressure.  But what actually happens during an inspection? What are inspectors really looking for? And how can practices prepare without overwhelming already stretched teams?  In our latest podcast Adrian Brine, Partnership Manager at Citation, is joined by:  Lucy Pottle, Health & Safety Consultant at Citation  Chris White, Operations & Development Director and Board Chair at VMG  Steven Goodear, SPVS Board Member and Practice Owner at Black Sheep Vets  Together, they break down what HSE inspections really look like in veterinary settings — and how practices can prepare with confidence.  What you’ll learn  Why vet practices are inspected  What happens during an inspection  The biggest compliance gaps in veterinary settings  What inspectors look for around COSHH, sharps, clinical waste, PPE, and manual handling  Why mental health and stress risk assessments matter  How leadership, culture and team confidence influence inspection outcomes  Practical tools to reduce overwhelm and save time  You’ll also hear real-world insight into how practices can embed Health & Safety into everyday operations — so it becomes part of the culture, not a once-a-year exercise.  Why this episode matters  Veterinary environments are fast paced, emotionally demanding and clinically complex. Health & Safety can easily feel like an additional administrative burden — particularly if you don’t have a dedicated compliance lead.  But when done well, the right systems protect your team, strengthen trust, improve standards and create calmer, more confident workplaces.  An inspection shouldn’t feel like a test. It should confirm what you already know: your systems work.  Listen now  If you’re a practice owner, manager or clinical lead wanting clarity on HSE expectations then this episode is essential listening. 

The biggest overhaul of UK employment law in a generation.  The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces major reforms rolling out between April 2026 and 2027 — fundamentally changing how UK businesses hire, manage sickness, handle dismissals and structure contracts.  In this episode of The Citation Podcast, our employment law specialists explain what’s changing, when it’s happening and what you need to do now to prepare.  Listen now and stay ahead of the changes.  Listen to the episode on Spotify > Get HR support > Why this matters for your business  We’re in the middle of an 18-month transformation of UK employment law:  Eight reforms arrive in April 2026  Nine more follow in October 2026  Eleven additional changes roll out through 2027  If you wait to prepare, it may already be too late.  Note: If you hire staff after June 2026, they’ll reach six months’ service just as the new unfair dismissal protections go live in January 2027.  What we cover in this episode  Statutory Sick Pay changes (April 2026)  The new Fair Work Agency (April 2026)  Unfair dismissal rights (January 2027)  Third-party harassment duty (October 2026)  Zero-hours contract reform (2027)  Who should listen?  This episode is essential for:  Business owners  Managing directors  HR managers  Operations leads  Anyone responsible for hiring or managing staff  Particularly small and medium-sized businesses without in-house employment law teams. 

A conversation with Citation and the National Care Association (NCA)  The care landscape is shifting and so are the Health & Safety expectations placed on providers. Infection control, fire safety, lone working, culture and paperwork mean real pressure. But when regulations tighten and risks rise, how do you protect people without overwhelming your teams?  In this podcast, Citation’s Care Business Manager Mick Feather sits down with Martin Andrews, Health & Safety Consultant, and Nadra Ahmed, Executive Chair of the National Care Association, to unpack what care providers are facing right now and what practical steps can make life easier.    What we cover in the episode  The biggest Health & Safety challenges in care today  From infection control to fire safety and lone working, kicking off with the top risks keeping providers awake at night.  Managing risk without drowning staff in paperwork  How do providers stay compliant while keeping frontline teams focused on care, not checklists?   Turning incidents and near-misses into positive change  Real examples of learning cultures in action and why fear of scrutiny is holding some services back.  Where CQC and the HSE are focusing their attention  What’s coming up repeatedly on inspections, and how the national picture compares to what consultants see day-to-day.  Tools and resources that actually make life easier  Is it digital solutions? Clearer guidance? Training? The panel explores what would move the needle most for providers.    Why this episode is worth a listen  This discussion gives you:  Clear insight into current and emerging Heath & Safety pressures in care  Practical, realistic advice you can apply straight away  A regulator-savvy view from both consultancy and national advocacy leaders  Reassurance that compliance can be manageable    Want to hear more?  If you want to find out more or have any topic suggestions you’d like to hear in the future, just drop us an email at [email protected] or head over to our Resources page for our latest guides, checklists and articles. Clients should log in to Atlas for in-depth guidance, templates, training, and more. 

A forward-looking discussion with Citation and the National Care Association (NCA)  The care sector is facing major change. Workforce legislation, minimum wage enforcement, the Employment Rights Bill, evolving CQC priorities, sustainability pressures mean providers are expected to adapt fast, often while already stretched.  In this episode, Mick Feather hosts a conversation with Gill McAteer, Citation’s Director of Employment Law, and Nadra Ahmed, Executive Chair of the National Care Association, focusing on what’s coming next and how care services can get ahead instead of firefighting.  What we cover in the episode  The big compliance changes on the horizon  From minimum wage protections and pay gap reporting to the new Fair Work Agency, we look at the legislative shift heading for providers.  Getting out of firefighting mode  How leaders can shift from reactive compliance to proactive planning even with limited resources.  The Employment Rights Bill: what care providers need to know  What’s changing, how it affects contracts, policies, recruitment and retention, and where the biggest risks lie.  How these changes influence CQC’s ‘Well-Led’ and ‘Safe’ inspections  Where workforce law meets regulation and what inspectors will expect to see in evidence and leadership practice.  How policymakers can ease (not increase) the burden  The panel discuss what would genuinely help providers deliver great care while staying compliant.  The role of compliance partners in long-term resilience  Why providers shouldn’t navigate this alone and how partners like Citation can support HR, regulation, governance and workforce planning.    Why this episode matters  Care leaders will walk away with:  Clearer view of the legislative and regulatory changes coming up  Practical steps to prepare now, not later  Insight directly from national policy conversations  Confidence to strengthen “Well-Led”, “Safe”, workforce and governance frameworks  Please note this podcast was filmed prior to the Bill being passed.  Want to hear more?  If you want to find out more or have any topic suggestions you’d like to hear in the future, just drop us an email at [email protected] or head over to our Resources page for our latest guides, checklists and articles. Clients should log in to Atlas for in-depth guidance, templates, training, and more. 

When stress and mental health challenges start showing up at work, it can be difficult for managers to know how to respond. And that becomes more apparent when employees are struggling to open up or performance begins to slip.  In this podcast episode, our Director of Employment Law Gill McAteer and Professional Support Solicitor Emma McGrath discuss how businesses can spot the signs early, handle sensitive conversations confidently, and put the right support in place for their people.  By listening, you’ll learn:  The latest stats on mental health and workplace stress  Common signs employees may be struggling  How to approach difficult conversations with empathy  The balance between supporting wellbeing and managing performance  When to make adjustments and your legal obligations under the Equality Act  Because when managers feel confident to respond with understanding (not just answers), everyone benefits. Employees feel supported, and businesses build stronger, healthier teams.  Listen now to get practical advice from the experts.  Spotify – https://spoti.fi/3pfaahj Check us out below! https://www.citation.co.uk/podcast/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/citation-ltd/ https://www.facebook.com/CitationLtd/ https://twitter.com/citationltd

Navigating Employment Law in the early years sector isn’t getting any simpler – especially with big changes on the horizon. That’s why we’ve teamed up with the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) to bring you another exclusive podcast episode breaking down the key updates you need to know.  In this essential listen, Emma McGrath, Professional Support Solicitor at Citation, joins Purnima Tanuku CBE, CEO of NDNA, to discuss how new regulations will affect nursery owners and managers in 2025 – and how to prepare with confidence. In this episode, you’ll learn…  What the introduction of day one unfair dismissal means for your hiring and onboarding processes  How changes to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) could impact absence management  What’s changing around zero hours contracts and how to manage them  Steps to protect your nursery and stay ahead  Want to hear more? If you want to find out more or have any topic suggestions you’d like to hear in the future, just drop us an email at [email protected] or head over to our Resources page for our latest guides, checklists and articles. Clients should log in to Atlas for in-depth guidance, templates, training, and more. Check us out below! https://www.citation.co.uk/podcast/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/citation-ltd/ https://www.facebook.com/CitationLtd/ https://twitter.com/citationltd