After our organization went through some reorganizing and layoffs, I have this sense of dread as we move into the 'implementation' phase, which basically means doing the same with less. Less staff, less hours -- only thing is, I haven't detected less workload or customer traffic. Urgent Care Pharmacy on Memorial Day was totally insane. And we're still trying to figure out why certain people were cut back or let go and others (perhaps more deserving of the axe) were kept on or absorbed elsewhere in the system. Most definitely there were people who were eliminated not because their jobs were non-essential but because they could be replaced with 'cheaper' employees. In some cases one person has been replaced by two or three newer but less expensive replacements. I know that's the cold reality but it doesn't make it any easier to swallow.
So man, was I tired this week for some reason. You know the kind of tired where you feel like you are underwater? You can't even think straight? Your eyeballs are suspended somewhere on top of your head? You get home and it's a chore to remain standing at the stove while you make something to eat? Then you go to bed and you can't sleep while you replay some silly thing that happened that day.
I know that customers will expect everything to work the same as it always has, and we'll probably get complaints. Unfortunately, the people who made those staffing cuts won't be around to hear those. I'm hoping for the best but fearing the worst...
I was in my local Wal-Mart today and they recently remodelled the store and the pharmacy. Over the new pharmacy hangs this HUGE sign:
TWO WAYS TO GET YOUR PRESCRIPTION FASTER:
1. Call it in.
2. Use our website.
I mean, it was a really big sign. I don't have any special feelings for Wal-Mart, but I must admit I like that. CALL IT IN. CALL IT IN. CALL IT IN. Oh Lord, if we could only get them to CALL IT IN.
I wonder if they would make me a sign, too.
5 comments:
Agree. Most somehow think that showing up on your doorstep and hovering will make it magically appear.
Calling it in would actually involve actual effort on their part, awyway.
In april we endured the same thing. we had to cut one full time person out of what I feel was a skeleton crew already. In june I lose my intern so goodbye to my so-called extra help. Its been painful and about to get worse. I feel your pain. No reductions in work, just reductions in WORKERS.
We have not had any reduction, which the head office keeps bleating about how great they are not cutting staffing levels. But we also havent had any increases for 11 years (at which time we were doing less that a third of what we do now). It is to busy now for us to work properly, workload is up, morale is ridiculously poor. I am leaving this job soon, and 3 of my 5 staff have already handed their notices in to coincide with my departure.
Hopefully, patients will figure out how to 'call it in' without having to speak directly to a pharmacist...
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