breaks at cvs

[mikejones123]

As pharmacists, aren't we entitled to get a 30 min break during our shift. My daytime pharmacist used to take 30 min breaks until our sup sat her down and told her she needs to be more efficient. He actually took her to thee office and showed her video of her taking a lunch break. I just don't think this is right. Also, for the pharmacists in CA and other states where a lunch break is mandated, how does cvs weasel out of these laws.

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[BMBiology]

As pharmacists, aren't we entitled to get a 30 min break during our shift. My daytime pharmacist used to take 30 min breaks until our sup sat her down and told her she needs to be more efficient. He actually took her to thee office and showed her video of her taking a lunch break. I just don't think this is right. Also, for the pharmacists in CA and other states where a lunch break is mandated, how does cvs weasel out of these laws.

In California, pharmacists are entitled to two breaks - 15 mins each after 2 hours of work. In addition, pharmacists are also entitled to a 30 minute lunch before 5 hours of work.

The word is some pharmacists are suing CVS. They can't take breaks and lunch because the pharmacy is understaffed.

 

[wagrxm2000]

I've never understood how people can't get breaks in. If you are efficient, its not that hard.

 

[CardinalGirl210]

Would it make a difference if she left the pharmacy for 30 minutes and went to the break room?

 

[BMBiology]

I've never understood how people can't get breaks in. If you are efficient, its not that hard.

That makes sense. If you are not a "good" pharmacist then you don't deserve to eat.

 

[northeast-southwest]

.

 

[Lexington2012]

So how are you supposed to go 12 hours without a bathroom break?
Piss jugs? Wearing adult diapers?

 

[confettiflyer]

Also, for the pharmacists in CA and other states where a lunch break is mandated, how does cvs weasel out of these laws.

They don't...if I remember correctly, CVS has had this continuous stream of legal settlements over missed breaks and lunches.

 

[Sine Cura]

CVS doesn't weasel out of these laws in California. I've talked to solo pharmacists who don't take a lunch break and thus get paid the meal premium (1 hour of pay for skipped meal period), and others who actually leave the pharmacy for lunch and leave techs to man the pharmacy, which is actually permitted by the BOP.

Rest periods are trickier. If you are a solo pharmacist, an employer could argue that they "offered" a meal period as part of company policy so if you didn't take a rest period that's on you. How exactly can you have a bona fide uniterrupted rest period when the company expectation is that you remain in the pharmacy is a good question (direct conflict with BOP regulation). There is also a separate penalty/premium for missing rest periods.

FYI this is the wage order that applies to retail hourly workers and pharmacists. "No less than 10 minutes" is the requirement for rest periods.
https://www.dir.ca.gov/IWC/IWCArticle4.pdf

 

[radio frequency]

I've never understood how people can't get breaks in. If you are efficient, its not that hard.

You realize there are states where a pharmacist must be present in the pharmacy for the pharmacy to be open at all, right?

 

[Lnsean]

I've never understood how people can't get breaks in. If you are efficient, its not that hard.

Really, is this the logic that we are reduced to now? No wonder we're in the shthole. You basically took what was or should be a right to all workers and reduced it to a condition/privilege.

 

[Dr Wario]

Really, is this the logic that we are reduced to now? No wonder we're in the shthole. You basically took what was or should be a right to all workers and reduced it to a condition/privilege.

You have the right to start you own business, you have the right to starve, you do not have the right to get a break at work. You are certainly welcome to try to negotiate this with your employer to have them put it in your contract, but no one can can force them to do anything for you.

 

[sosoo]

why is this just a cali thing? cvs is across the country. is cvs waiting for each state to sue them each time ?

 

[Rukn]

why is this just a cali thing? cvs is across the country. is cvs waiting for each state to sue them each time ?

Every state is different with regards to labor laws

So the abuse that CVS can get away with in a certain state with lax labor laws it cannot get away with in Cali

 

[Lnsean]

You have the right to start you own business, you have the right to starve, you do not have the right to get a break at work. You are certainly welcome to try to negotiate this with your employer to have them put it in your contract, but no one can can force them to do anything for you.

we're talking about CA...it's the law. don't open your mouth if you don't know what you're talking about. if you read OP"s original post...he/she clearly asks for CA and states where this is mandated...jesus.

 

[owlegrad]

"You do not have the right to take a break at work". I wonder what the politifacts meter would rate this as?

 

[wagrxm2000]

You realize there are states where a pharmacist must be present in the pharmacy for the pharmacy to be open at all, right?

No I don't follow state laws outside my own. So what you're saying is everytime the pharmacist walks out to help a customer, the pharmacy closes? This is news to me.

 

[wagrxm2000]

Really, is this the logic that we are reduced to now? No wonder we're in the shthole. You basically took what was or should be a right to all workers and reduced it to a condition/privilege.

When did I say its a privilege, if you've ever read some of my posts about efficiency I've always stated that every pharmacy if ran correctly should have plenty of help meaning taking a break should be easy. I leave the pharmacy all the time.

 

[BenJammin]

Unless you close the pharmacy, how are lunch breaks legal in the pharmacy? You have to counsel patients on all new prescriptions so I guess it counts as a lunch break even though you get up every 2 minutes to do your job?

 

[NateRobinson]

I don't understand how you guys don't take breaks. How inefficient are you guys?

I take a 30 minute lunch break (I have overlap), I go to the bathroom whenever I feel the urge, and I never get work compromised as a result.

Hell, even if I'm alone, I take 10-15 minutes to go eat, and I go to the bathroom when I have to. All of you losers who make comments like "SHOULD WE WEAR DIAPERS" are so dramatic. Just stop it. Be a LITTLE more efficient so that you can go eat.

 

[NateRobinson]

You realize there are states where a pharmacist must be present in the pharmacy for the pharmacy to be open at all, right?

This is so stupid. I hate posters like you. You would literally freaking hold your bladder in for 12 hours because you're scared that you'll get fired because you had to use the bathroom?

Go freaking use the bathroom. Nothing is going to happen to you. Jesus Christ. Not EVERY LAW is meant to be followed 100% to the tee.

 

[pillpharmer14]

I've never understood how people can't get breaks in. If you are efficient, its not that hard.

You don't understand because you don't work for CVS. We've been over this. Congratulations on your well oiled machine, but your pharmacy is the exception not the rule.

I don't understand how you guys don't take breaks. How inefficient are you guys?

I take a 30 minute lunch break (I have overlap), I go to the bathroom whenever I feel the urge, and I never get work compromised as a result.

Hell, even if I'm alone, I take 10-15 minutes to go eat, and I go to the bathroom when I have to. All of you losers who make comments like "SHOULD WE WEAR DIAPERS" are so dramatic. Just stop it. Be a LITTLE more efficient so that you can go eat.

Well that changes things doesn't it. You're right. Even with no overlap, if you're efficient you can get ahead and sit down to eat. Then, 2 minutes later someone changes an insurance, you have re-verify the rx, then while you're up there's a transfer, and a counsel and there goes your break. Why do you insist on blaming the pharmacist for having their break constantly interrupted? Furthermore, the right to sit down and eat uninterrupted shouldn't have to be earned. That is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[RxPreceptor]

Im not quite sure what is so difficult about strategically planning restroom breaks...say before my last tech leaves or when computers go down or in the eye of a storm, etc. Multitasking (unfortunately) is normal in community settings; most druggists I work with (including myself) just eat/drink portable foods...you just have to wait for the right opportunity during the cloud of chaos.

 

[Sine Cura]

Suppose on a typical Monday you sell 500 scripts and verify 550 and you are the only pharmacist. The first and last hour you might sell 30 scripts total and fill 40 total, leaving 470 scripts to be sold and 510 verified over 11 hours.

Of those 42 sold scripts per hour, at least some of them are mandatory counsels and then there are 46 0n average to verify over 11 hours.

Of course verification and rx counseling are not the only things you at doing. If you have 50 CIIs that day, you are filling all 50 CIIs and verifying at least some of them. Rebills for escripts sent in (at cvs techs can still edit the rx for rebills so they have to be verified by RPH again. And of course once in a while there is an input error caught...) Transfers, customer complaints, sending RX back due to input errors, questions over the phone, OTC questions, etc. Oh yes, NSPU calls and doctor calls too! Some rx sup actually expect you to cull NSPU calls before they populate, so you there's the day 6 report too

You can still go to the bathroom and eat but good luck getting 10-15 min in uninterrupted unless it's after 7 pm. Do you really expect new counsels to wait while you eat, no.

 

[mikejones123]

Im not quite sure what is so difficult about strategically planning restroom breaks...say before my last tech leaves or when computers go down or in the eye of a storm, etc. Multitasking (unfortunately) is normal in community settings; most druggists I work with (including myself) just eat/drink portable foods...you just have to wait for the right opportunity during the cloud of chaos.

You are missing the point. If your state mandates a lunch break, then you shouldn't have to "wait for the right opportunity", or "be more efficient". I'm sure the majority of pharmacists on here are efficient. I love how some idiots here think they are the only ones with magical powers to be efficient. The question I had was about rights. If a state like CA gives you the RIGHT to take a break, how does a sleazy company like cvs deal with that?

 

[wagrxm2000]

Have any of you just taken a lunch just to see what cvs would do or are you concerned about the consequences?

 

[Sine Cura]

The OP gave an example of someone not in California who regularly took breaks, not to see what CVS would do, but the sup came down on the practice...

 

[owlegrad]

Have any of you just taken a lunch just to see what cvs would do or are you concerned about the consequences?

I am on my lunch right now. First one this week though. January is the roughest month, we all know this. Transfers, ins, etc.

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[BMBiology]

This is why I don't have much hope for our profession and is exactly why California has a mandatory lunch and break law.

If these corporations know they can force so much work on you so you can't take a break without getting slammed when you come back, then why wouldn't they? It is money in their pocket. Who cares if it comes at the expense of your health?

 

[RxPreceptor]

You are missing the point. If your state mandates a lunch break, then you shouldn't have to "wait for the right opportunity", or "be more efficient". I'm sure the majority of pharmacists on here are efficient. I love how some idiots here think they are the only ones with magical powers to be efficient. The question I had was about rights. If a state like CA gives you the RIGHT to take a break, how does a sleazy company like cvs deal with that?

Just being realistic in adapting to the environment...I don't think CVS is too concerned about CA state laws until someone files a lawsuit.

 

[PharFromNormal]

When did I say its a privilege, if you've ever read some of my posts about efficiency I've always stated that every pharmacy if ran correctly should have plenty of help meaning taking a break should be easy. I leave the pharmacy all the time.

The problem with this post is you assume everyone's definitions of efficient and "pharmacy's run correctly" vary tremendously. What does "run correctly" even mean? They don't fill CIIs? They have 4 pharmacists and 8 techs regardless of their volume? They have all pharmacists? They provide over the top white glove service with store liaisons that escort customers from their car to the pharmacy counter? Plenty of help can also mean plenty of labor costs, which in any business... too much labor cost is a problem. Asking what it means to "run correctly" will vary tremendously depending on the patient, tech, intern, floater, staff rph, manager, district manager, independent owner, corporate overlord, shareholder you ask.

 

[gwarm01]

Something to be said for the quality of life afforded by working in a hospital.

 

[radio frequency]

This is so stupid. I hate posters like you. You would literally freaking hold your bladder in for 12 hours because you're scared that you'll get fired because you had to use the bathroom?

Go freaking use the bathroom. Nothing is going to happen to you. Jesus Christ. Not EVERY LAW is meant to be followed 100% to the tee.

You have anger problems, man. I use the bathroom all the time. Never said I didn't.