So I'm sitting in the tiny 'back room' of the pharmacy eating lunch, surrounded by other employees' purses, backpacks, etc. and several times while I'm sitting there people's cell phones are going off. They can't hear them, so they ring multiple times and go unanswered.
Putting aside the question of why people will call other people's cell phones when they KNOW they are at WORK (??), I at least give these employees credit for leaving their cell phones in the 'back.' That's where I leave mine, and once in a while I might go back and check it, but it stays there.
I've got to believe most pharmacy workplaces have strict policies on cell phones, don't they? Mine apparently does not. Some of our managers are really lax about it, and I'm seeing more and more people working while carrying their cell phone in a pocket or (more often) just leaving it on the counter. Granted, it's generally out of view of the customers, but when I ask somebody a question and realize they are not answering me because they are deep in text-messaging concentration, I do a slow burn. Never mind talking on the damn thing in the middle of the pharmacy.
Is this a problem for anyone else or do I just work in an incredibly lax place? I'm debating whether to ask "upper" management to tighten things up a little and make it a rule that cell phones stay out of the general work area. They'll definitely do it, because they probably don't realize it's going on....but then again I'll be the bad guy if someone finds out.
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7 comments:
Yeah, I see this at stores. Even sometimes with hospital staff. Scrolling through messages, etc.
Bugs me, too. I don't do that while seeing patients.
I don't get calls when I work at my regular part-time job, but when I worked relief at a Wal-mart pharmacy for example, I got messages from management or home or other places that needed my immediate response, since the shift was not part of a regular routine shift and I'd left before 5 AM to get to the place and would be returning home after midnight sometimes, with nary a chance for meal break. Sometimes, I had to make a call during a bathroom break!
As for text-messages, they seem very time-consuming and one has to pay very close attention while writing them, so it's not good news to be text-messaging from work. On the other hand, my kids say they require less cost to receive when their phone has limited number of minutes.
Sometimes, I overhear a personal phone call being answered by a tech prefaced by the words, 'I'm at work' as if the caller has no idea the tech works regularly, but I think the bottom line is that it is rude to not pay attention to what you're doing.
Yes. While I keep my cell phone on the counter I don't use it except to get calls. And that happens about once a week. Why? Because I have 3 kids...but even then, if I am the only pharmacist on staff, I can't very well leave to pick up vomit cadet. However, I can coordinate my support network and get someone to pick up from soccer/school/daycare/preschool. I will admit to being a REALLY bad parent sometimes: I have once ignored my ringing cell phone on a busy day and the daycare desparately needed me to come pickup a suddenly feverish kid. Luckily, my list of people for the daycare to call is long (for this very reason) and they found #4 on the list....
That said......collegues that give you the hand signal that they can't get the ringing phone because they are on their cell, irritate me. I am already on the phone and have to put someone on hold because you have (usually very unimportant) personal conversations? Respect your co-workers, respect your patients.
I try not to even check my text messages at work but occationally I am guilty. My phone would also have it's battery go dead if I was on the phone a lot at work. I always put my phone in my pocket but I keep it on "silent mode" which means it doesn't ring, vibrate, or somehow otherwise notifies me of incoming messages. If it is important whomever it is will call back and I will talk to them later!
I have a cell phone at work, strapped to my waist, on vibrate. Once in a while it rrings but for the most part, people know if they want to reach me they can txt me and I will respond when i can. Its a faster method than calling me (like I really need more calls anyway) and the very brief txts I send get the job done in a lot less time than dialing somebody. I never do it in front of customers, and since I ddont have internet on my phone, it doesnt' consume any time.
I always have my phone on me in the pharmacy. The fastest way to get my supervisor is through texting. If I need a matter addressed quickly I'll text her and if it warrants a phone call she'll call me when she can. My phone is an iPhone so I use it as my handheld reference. Its usually faster than looking it up on the online references my employer provides. I keep personal communications to a minimum. I also always go to the back of the dept, even if I'm just texting/calling my supervisor.
I think it is rude and unprofessional. Frankly, most offices have a back phone line or a second phone line that is answered more quickly than the main phone line. That is the number I give if someone needs to contact me at work.
If you are worried about being found out I would recommend sending in a complaint, posing as a customer, to your higher ups. Not only will you not take the heat, but most companies are more inclined to address an issue if a customer is offended.
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