Do pharmacists in retail settings get breaks?

[jjoeirv]

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I read somewhere that pharmacists who work for retail chains have to work either 8 or 12 hours in a row without a lunch break. Is this true? If it is true, that would increase the likelihood of the pharmacists making mistakes because they would not be mentally alert due to hunger.

 

[Caverject]

True and true, but its all depending on where you work and what situation your in. If its a real busy store, chances are you will have a 2nd pharmacist with you allowing you a lunch break. (It may not be the full 30 minutes though) If you work at a really slow store that does about 100 or less a day, you will not get a break. But because its so slow, most pharmacist's dont have a problem getting something to eat quickly in the pharmacy. It's really not as bad as it seems as long as the situation is good.

 

[baggywrinkle]

Originally posted by jjoeirv
I read somewhere that pharmacists who work for retail chains have to work either 8 or 12 hours in a row without a lunch break. Is this true? If it is true, that would increase the likelihood of the pharmacists making mistakes because they would not be mentally alert due to hunger.

It CAN be true if you allow it, and there are days when it does happen. Generally speaking, if there is any overlap in shifts at all you can get in a break. However, if you are working a solo sunday it can be all you - just you - for ten hours or so.

There are provisions in Florida law for a "lunch break" which does not include leaving the premises. You put up a sign and nothing is filled for thirty minutes or so. This can happen, but you need the backbone to enforce your downtime or you **WILL** be interrupted. Practically speaking it is often easier to bring finger food and easily snarfed snacks to the work station and take short breaks as the opportunity arises. In a very busy store this may not happen for 6-7-8 hours. You are so busy you have not the time to look up let alone eat. In this environment you must discipline yourself making sure you stay hydrated for example and remembering to breath. Like learning to stand on your feet for ten hours it is an acquired skill. You go home tired, very tired such that I have been known to sit down after getting home, taking a deep breath, and waking up in two hours with a cramp in the neck and my stupid tie still on.

You have to stand your ground. Management is forever making rules and policies forbiding anything which may be construed as being human such as photos of the kids and food or drink behind the counter. In hospital, for years I took my tray back to the pharmacy so I could run by and snag a bite rather than risk it being cleared if I was called away. In my current night shift position management started bitching about the tiny "pantry" I keep least it contain foodstuffs stolen from store stock. There is a teapot and brand names purchased at other stores with labels deliberately chosen because they are not carried by WAG. One must be discrete least customers complain, but I made it clear that a rule enforced on the night shift against eating in the pharmacy would force a change of employment. It cannot be a hollow threat either or they will turn you into automatons.

 

[chitowngyrl]

i work as a pharm tech at a Sam's Club pharmacy and our pharmacist always gets a break. As a matter of fact, we close the pharmacy from 1:30-2:00 for lunch everyday.

 

[SteveL]

depends on store volume/setting usually. In a LVS, yes, you'll have all kinds of time to eat. In a HVS, probably not. Most of our pharmacists make techs go get food and bring it back for them only for it to sit out all day and then get thrown away. It's kind of sad...🙁 . Personally though, I can go through an 8 hour day w/o eating because the pharmacy keeps me busy, but if it's a 12 hr day or a slow day, then i start to get the munchies 😀