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Zoe Smeaton reports.
As admin piles up, patients' demands intensify, and breaks from the pressure become few and far between, it's easy to see why working in a pharmacy can be stressful. A good manager should offer you support in such situations, so what happens if your boss seems to be making life even harder for no apparent reason?
The first thing you should do is acknowledge the problem. Diane Lester, charity manager at Pharmacist Support, says people often think their situation is normal and all work is like this. John Murphy, director of the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA), agrees: "Pharmacists tend to be very compliant, and many won't stand up for their rights."
But if your boss is making you feel as if you're not doing your job properly, then there could be a problem. Mr Murphy says unrealistic targets from managers are a "key problem" and he has seen some managers dumping work onto pharmacists rather than delegating effectively. "There are also domineering managers who won't listen, and those who don't seem to value your contribution," he adds.
If you think your boss fits into any of these categories then Ms Lester and Mr Murphy agree that you should take action as soon as possible. If you don't, Mr Murphy says over time your self-esteem could suffer, which will hinder your performance at work and so is bad news for your career. It could also lead to more stress and harm your health.
As Ms Lester warns: "Pharmacists work in a very controlled environment under a lot of pressure, so the additional stress of not getting on with someone could be too much to bear." And on a practical level, if you leave things until the manager has decided to punish you, Mr Murphy says raising concerns can look as if you are just trying to get back at them.
Taking action is unlikely to be easy, but there are some things that can help you. The first step may be talking to your boss, and this could be easier than you think.
Yvonne Tuckley, Numark's training manager, says in many cases bosses can be unaware of the stress unrealistic targets are causing. She suggests approaching the topic proactively. "Try and use evidence to back up your thinking. Also give some thought to possible solutions." Mr Murphy says asking for feedback is vital, and he advises asking managers for specific examples if they are claiming that you have underperformed. "If they are trying to demean you professionally and are challenged on this, nine times out of 10 they can't do it," he says.
If this doesn't work then you may like to talk to someone else. Ms Lester says for some pharmacists calling the charity's Listening Friends helpline, where they can speak to another pharmacist confidentially, can be helpful. You should also see what your company has to offer - find out their policy on bullying and harassment and follow the official procedures. Many larger employers will have confidential employee support services, or you could approach your HR department.
If you decide to raise a grievance against your employer, there are also options. As Mr Murphy says: "People have employment rights, they can take out a grievance against their managers - harassment is seen as a very serious misdemeanor in employment tribunals." Both the PDA and Pharmacist Support can offer advice on such matters.
Whether or not you decide to take legal action, you might be tempted to leave your job. Given the variety of employers in the pharmacy market, and the option to work as a locum, taking yourself out of the situation could be a good move.
It's worth looking at potential employers to ensure they have the right measures in place before you start. Large companies are likely to have structures in place, but even small pharmacies might outsource their HR, for example, meaning you could approach someone who wouldn't also be your boss.