A Practical, Legal, and Ethical Guide for Veterinary Clinics
In recent years, more clinics have started posting public notices stating that a former employee is “no longer connected” with their practice. These posts usually come from a desire to protect the clinic, the veterinarian’s license, and the public.
But are these postings really necessary? Do they help? Or do they sometimes create more issues than they solve?
Let’s look at this carefully.
Why Clinics Consider Posting These Notices
Most employers who post these notices are not acting out of ill intent. Common reasons include:
- Protecting the veterinarian’s PRC license and credentials
- Preventing misrepresentation to clients
- Clarifying that a former staff member has no authority to transact, consult, or collect payments
- Avoiding future liability if the individual uses the clinic’s name or details
These are valid concerns, especially in veterinary practice where authority and accountability are tightly regulated.
When a Public Post Is NOT Necessary
In many cases, a public post is not required if the following are already in place:
- A signed employment contract
- A signed NDA or confidentiality agreement
- Complete due process documentation
- Notice to explain, suspension, dismissal
- A signed quitclaim and final pay acknowledgment
- Clear internal records that employment has ended
When these are properly documented, the clinic is already protected.
Posting publicly in such situations may invite unnecessary public commentary, escalate a closed HR matter, expose the clinic to misinterpretation or legal risk, and prolong an issue that has already been resolved internally.
In many situations, no post is the safest and most professional choice.
When a Public Post May Be Justified
There are limited circumstances where a neutral public notice can be appropriate, such as when:
- The former employee is actively claiming affiliation with the clinic
- They are using the clinic’s name, logo, or license details
- Clients are being misled or transacting under false representation
- There is a real risk to client trust or patient care
Even in these cases, the purpose of the post should be clarification, not explanation.
What a Proper Notice Should—and Should NOT—Contain
Acceptable content includes a factual statement that the individual is no longer connected with the clinic, clarification that they do not represent the clinic in any capacity, and direction to transact only through official clinic channels.
What should be avoided are reasons for termination, discussion of behavior or performance, emotional language, accusations, or anything that invites public opinion.
Short and neutral is always safer.
Internal Protection Matters More Than Public Posting
True protection comes from strong internal systems, not social media posts.
This includes:
- Limiting access to licenses and credentials
- Updating passwords promptly
- Clearly defining staff roles
- Keeping complete HR documentation
- Maintaining consistent professional leadership
Clinics with solid systems rarely need to defend themselves publicly.
Final Takeaway
“Not connected with us” postings should be the exception, not the default.
If due process was followed and documentation is complete, clinic owners can move forward confidently without announcements, explanations, or prolonged attention.
Professional closure is often quiet.
Dr. Geoff Carullo is a Fellow and the current President of the Philippine College of Canine Practitioners.
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