Monday, January 24, 2011

Complaint Dept.

I don't know what it is, but the last couple of weeks at work I feel like I could jump out of my skin. The same obstacles keep popping up every day and easy stuff finds a way to be difficult. It'll get better, but for now I would like to blow off steam about a few things.

1. Managers who give permission for technicians to leave early on days that the manager is NOT working, and I AM. I think it would be common courtesy for the manager or technician to ask ME if it's OK beforehand, since I am the one who is going to cover for the absence by being a highly-paid cashier for the rest of the day. I am sick and tired of seeing people walk out the door early because someone who's not there told them it was OK.

2. I understand it is sometimes necessary to use your lunch break to run errands. But that is still your lunch break. Don't come back to the pharmacy, plop yourself down and proceed to take another half hour to actually eat. You had your lunch break. It is now over.

3. Please, for the love of God, cut back the personal phone calls. Ignoring customers while you talk loudly on the phone to your 'whoever' is --- well, I shouldn't even have to get into it.
What makes people think that personal conversations take priority over doing their damn job?

4. OK, insurance companies --- you've sent me a letter advising me that all generics of a certain drug are back-ordered and will be for many weeks. Only the brand name is available. So how about giving people a little break on that jacked-up brand name copay, since it's really not their fault that they can't get the generic, huh? And you know they can't get it --- you just told me, right?

5. I really don't like telling people that the advice they've been given is baloney. I try to be nice about it and not undermine anyone too much, no matter how stupid it is. My customer was told by a dietitian to take "super-potent" Vitamin C supplements to help his back heal after surgery. I told him to save his money. He agreed with me.

And that concludes my pissing and moaning for now.

5 comments:

Grumpy, M.D. said...

All justified.

Anonymous said...

Very valid.

The Redheaded Pharmacist said...

All good points and valid complaints!

lovinmyjob said...

As a pharmacy manager, I have run into the problem of my name being used when I'm not there. A tech/cashier wants to leave early so the say that the manager said it was OK when no such thing was said. Double check with the manager. Ask that any changes like this not only be cleared with you or be clearly marked on the posted schedule. I never do this to my other pharmacists. If someone wants to leave early they request it far enough in advance for me to get it covered, find coverage themselves or check with the pharmacist who will be on duty at said time. No exceptions!

Anonymous said...

Don't just complain - talk to the manager about the absences. Did he/she really approve? If yes, discuss why you want these requests run by you. Same with lunching employees - if you have authority over these folks, tell them to get to work. Complaining makes you feel better for a moment - fixing the problem makes you feel better long-term.