Question for Retail Pharmacists

[LazyMooch]

Hello guys,

Do any of you have a good relationship with your store managers?

My (I'm an associate-not in the pharmacy as a tech yet) store seems to lack a good line of communication and understanding between the two.

I'm hoping thats not the general trend...

My other question was: Is the store manager your "boss", or do you answer to the DM, RM, or another individual?

It's nothing pressing, I'm just curious and believe that these would be inappropriate questions to ask in the workplace.

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[crazybob]

I don't work in retail, but one store I've noticed had the pharmacy staff getting along well with the store manager. It seemed like they were buddies and I don't think the pharmacy staff had to answer directly to the store manager, but talk to them like they were friends.

 

[Dr Wario]

In terms of relationship with store managers, it all depends on the store and the individuals involved. I find that I get along with store managers who understand how integral pharmacy is to the business and thus supports the pharmacy without trying to be the boss. In my current location, I do not have a good relationship with the manager for many reasons (such as her stealing from us by classifying front store employees as working pharmacy). I will freely admit I am bitter because she is going to get a 40k bonus this year while failing nearly all of her metrics, and is solely based on pharmacy performance. Previously, I had a FS manager who understood that the pharmacy was 70% of that store's business and thus did everything in his power to assist us, thus our relationship was spectacular.

As for the front store manager being your boss, it all really depends on what kind of pharmacy setting you are in. In places where pharmacy is the main business such as CVS, RA, and walgreens, the FS manager is not your boss (and is really not even in the same league) and places where pharmacy is just a draw, such as target/walmart, the FS manager is typically your superior.

 

[TonyRx]

Prior to entering pharmacy school I was an Assistant Manager for 5 years with Walgreens, so I have a decent understanding of the issue.

Basically, the Store Manager is precisely that, the Manager in charge and responsible for the entire store (which includes pharmacy). BUT, of course we have Pharmacy Managers and their role is to solely oversee and manage the Pharmacy and Pharmacy staff. If you were to ask someone from corporate to draw a definitive line in the sand they would most likely say the Store Manager is essentially the "boss." From my past and current experiences, the Rx Manager works (or should at least) hand in hand with the Store Manager in running/operating the store. But of course the Rx Manager's input and help is solely focused on the Pharmacy and his or hers bottom line.

Don't forget, there are many Store Managers who are RPh's, whom decided to go the business/corporate route with their careers. Those Store Managers will very likely view and treat the Pharmacy in higher regards in comparison to your average blow-joe Store Manager who is afraid to step one foot in the Pharmacy. Unfortunately, there is a wide spectrum of talent and experience when it comes to Store Managers at Walgreens.

Anyhow, it's supposed to be a collaborative team effort by both managers; Rx and Store, in running and operating the store. But since the responsibility of the Pharmacy falls on the shoulders of the Store Manager (while the front end doesn't apply to the Rx Manager), the Store Manager is essentially in charge. But I've yet to come across any Store Managers with the balls to try to boss or bully around the Rx Manager or any Staff Pharmacist. Those who try are complete idiots.