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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How to face work

80 replies

FineBoneChina · 10/11/2020 06:25

I had a horrible conversation with my boss yesterday, during which I was more or less told to start looking for a different job.

Not an easy conversation to have for either of us, and she was as honest and tactful as it is possible to be but of course I found it very upsetting to hear and was shocked.

I really don't know where to go from here. I have been on a performance review and if I want to continue in my role this can be escalated to a more formal stage, if I want. My gut feeling is that I should be good at what I do, I am more than capable of the work involved in the job but for some reason I keep making mistakes and it doesn't seem to be improving.

The conversation happened at the end of my shift yesterday and I don't know how to face going in today as if everything is normal.

I couldn't really articulate myself well in the meeting as I was holding back tears and didn't know what to say.

I don't exactly know what I'm looking for on here but I'm embarrassed and feel like a failure so not ready to share with anyone in real life atm.

OP posts:
FineBoneChina · 11/11/2020 09:19

Unfortunately I'm not in a position to just resign. I'm a single parent so this along with UC is my only income - though I have started to look on job websites.

I'm going to try and get some advice from ACAS today and have started to write down everything that I feel has been wrong since I started the job as there are many instances where I have been treated unfairly.

My mum thinks it's funny how this has just sprung up after I have pushed for an adjustment to my hours.

OP posts:
Iwonder777 · 11/11/2020 19:36

How are you tonight x

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 11/11/2020 19:42

when you see your GP, ask about getting your iron levels checked - I once went to the GP because I thought I was depressed - forgetting things, unable to concentrate, no enthusiasm.
Wasn't depressed, severely anaemic.

How did today go?

Orangeblossom7777 · 11/11/2020 19:48

all the late finishes and all the weekends I wonder if also due to covid perhaps there has been staff shortages / extra stress? All of which would make the job more difficult. Think under the circumstances they should be more understanding really.

FineBoneChina · 11/11/2020 20:30

Thanks all. I was off today so I spoke to the GP today and have an appointment for blood tests next week to check my thyroid/hormones etc.

When someone mentioned perimenopause I looked into it and alot of it resonates with me (hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia frequent headaches, memory issues). I'm only 31 so it hadn't really crossed my mind and just assumed they were symptoms of anxiety made worse by stress.

Thankfully our staffing hasn't been affected by Covid (yet) but our workload has increased massively along with patients being abusive which doesn't help either.

I've written an email to cover some points I want to clarify and some things I would have liked to say during the meeting but was too shocked to form anything meaningful at the time. I'm going to send it in the morning before I head in to work.

I like my job, my team and my patients and really care about alot of this so I'm hoping to get some clarification on where I stand and whether it really is a way of asking me to leave indirectly before I make any final decisions.

I'm really grateful for all your responses, whatever way things go it's useful to know what other people have experienced in similar situations.

OP posts:
Orangeblossom7777 · 11/11/2020 20:45

Best of luck OP Flowers

GreenClock · 11/11/2020 20:52

Your post about the shifts they make you do made me annoyed for you, OP. I don’t think you’re being treated well at all. I honestly think that any old job, shelf stacking or whatever, would be better for your health than this one, in the near-term. Let them find some other mug for the undesirable shifts. I bet you’re lined up for the unpopular shifts over the Christmas period too. Honestly, get out of there if you can.

FineBoneChina · 11/11/2020 21:24

I feel like I've done my time shelf-stacking, and if I leave it'll be difficult to get back into something I actually want to do long term.

I realise that sounds nuts given the circumstances in my current job, but I don't want to do anything hasty that hinders my options further down the line.

I'm not home till 7pm every night which is a nightmare for childcare especially with Covid making it more difficult to use family to fill the gaps between school/childminder, never mind the fact I'm exhausted and have no time for myself.

At the moment my mum is having to travel 30+ miles (60 round trip) to help because my childminder finishes at 6.00 and I don't get out of work before 6.30. I've asked if I can finish at 5.45 on two days so that I can collect him myself but been told it's not possible, even if I make the time up elsewhere. Not sure where I stand with this really, it's on my list of things to find out.

I'm tying myself in knots wondering how to approach it all.

OP posts:
vanillandhoney · 11/11/2020 21:37

Can you get yourself signed off for a while, and give yourself some breathing space?

It sounds horribly stressful and your long hours won't be helping your concentration Flowers

Serin · 11/11/2020 21:40

Funny how this issue was only noted when you asked for a change in your hours. I know that you are dispensing drugs rather than cakes, but you are not really paid any more than general shop assistants despite your additional responsibility and additional training.
Could you move to a hospital setting? The NHS tends to pay pharmacy staff much better than the supermarkets and big chains.

TokyoSushi · 11/11/2020 21:56

Oh OP, you sound lovely, and this sounds like a tricky situation. I really feel for you and very much hope that it works out Flowers

FineBoneChina · 11/11/2020 21:59

The GP suggested today that some time off might help - at least while I'm waiting for the results of my blood tests, but I exhausted my company sick pay during lockdown and can't afford to take time off. I'd also be concerned that more absences would go against me though I do see how it might help.

I'm unsure that I'd be able to go for a job in another pharmacy when I'm still a trainee- they'd wonder why I don't have my qualification after two years in my current shop.

You're right about the pay though - it's crap for the level of responsibilty and type of work we do.

OP posts:
Fishfingersandwichplease · 11/11/2020 22:02

You poor thing OP - you sound like you are spinning lots of plates at once. No advice really but l think if l were you l would look for something else that is more family friendly. Good luck xx

Unsure33 · 11/11/2020 22:10

I think you should check your rights on gov uk about requesting flexible hours . Especially if the ones you are working are not in your original contract .

user1471457751 · 11/11/2020 22:57

Unfortunately, given the OP has worked these hours for a year it wouldn't matter what was in her contract. She would be seen to have accepted these hours through custom and practice.
And while she may have the right to request flexible working hours, this can be easily turned down for business reasons e.g. no other cover on those shifts. The business won't go out of their way for someone who is underperforming

FineBoneChina · 11/11/2020 23:15

Thanks for your honesty user. It's good to get a picture of what is realistic.

My hours changed last December and I was advised it was temporary. Everyone else's hours were changed at the same time, but I was the only person who was given the late shift every day. Then the pandemic happened and everything went a bit tits up.

I realise it may look like I have accepted these hours but its not the first time I've brought it up. I've also had alot of changes in my personal life meaning that it's not possible for me to just suck it up any longer. I have asked for the absolute bare minimum in changes to avoid disruption to other shift patterns and offered as much flexibilty (starting earlier, working different days, shorter breaks etc.) as I am able to.

I get what you're saying about them not wanting to accommodate someone who is underperforming - but from my point of view I have the most difficult shift pattern of all staff and I do feel it is affecting my ability to work accurately.

I'm not sure if that actually counts for anything though, but I have been treated differently. There is not one other member of staff, including the pharmacist who works late every night and every weekend.

OP posts:
stayanotherday · 11/11/2020 23:57

You sound great and you're being treated unfairly. Please get union advice and mention the problem over hours.

WeAreFromThePlanetDuplo · 12/11/2020 06:20

How much longer do you have to go before your traineeship is completed? Could you hang on until then, and then look for the same job in another shop or hospital?

Irisheyesrsmiling · 12/11/2020 07:00

@FineBoneChina - is there a possibility you have ADHD (the non-hyper type often referred to as ADD). I say this because concentration and focus are key flags but also because untreated it can lead to depression and anxiety. See your GP.

Before you are terminated could you ask for some time off? It sounds very challenging to work when you know you are likely to be terminated. The normal anxieties may heighten! I wonder too if there is an HR lead? Perhaps speaking about accommodations would be helpful too!

Irisheyesrsmiling · 12/11/2020 07:02

Just read your updates @FineBoneChina you are strong and I hope your GP's tests will bring some answers. Definitely being overworked can't help!

ItsmineAllmine · 12/11/2020 07:36

Just on the working hours point. Other staff might already have made successful flexible working requests - which means you have to cover the late shifts as no one else can. They wouldn't necessarily be able to disclose this to you either, as another empmoyee's flexible working request would be confidential.

It's not great but ultimately the business need to ensure the hours are covered. Flexibility in working hours for some staff can often mean less flexibility for others in the team.

FineBoneChina · 12/11/2020 07:57

How much longer do you have to go before your traineeship is completed?

The training should take 6 months for a full time member of staff, however for the first 6 months I only worked one day a week.
I have actually completed the majority of it some time ago (much of it in my own time as I was always denied time to complete it whilst in work) but there are two things I need to be signed off on. I have been asking for months to have an opportunity to train more thoroughly in these tasks and am always told there is no time. Now I'm told that I will not be signed off as competent in these other tasks until the situation with mistakes improves- I do know how to do the other tasks but have never been allowed to do them regularly as there are two experienced members of staff who have one each as their regular task and none of the other staff do them unless there are holidays.

This has been brought up by more than just me as a problem - even the other experienced members of staff don't feel confident doing these jobs as we are never allowed to do them regularly enough to be well practised.

I'm concerned that if I look for the same job elsewhere now, it'll look awful when they realise I have not been signed off as trained so I am inclined to hold off - however if I'm going to be dismissed anyway, the trainee status isn't going to change.

Officially I will have been there for two years on November 17th, so my concern now is that they're trying to get me out before its too difficult after the two year mark.

I really appreciate all your views, it's helping me to get my thoughts in order and consider all angles more thoroughly, so thankyou Flowers

OP posts:
HedgieHog · 12/11/2020 08:02

I echo what @Veterinari says, she’s trying to kind, the next step is more formal and future employers would know you’ve been on performance management
For your sake I’d seriously consider leaving now
Good luck 💐

YukoandHiro · 12/11/2020 08:12

@FineBoneChina If you leave now, could you get a job elsewhere if you blame the working hours for the reason you had to depart before ending training? As your boss has been kind, could you speak to them about getting a reference to that effect so that you can continue and complete your training at another pharmacy?

muddledmidget · 12/11/2020 08:23

What training course is it that you're registered on? If it's buttercups then that's normally OK to transfer to a different pharmacy if you did want to look for another job, you could always email them and ask.

Alternatively are there any other pharmacists working there who could give you a bit of mentorship. I've worked as a locum where I spent an hour every Tuesday morning running through OTC products with someone who didn't have any confidence. She'd pick a 'topic of the day' eg creams/cough mixtures and we'd run through the important differences, ingredients, indications etc.

And it's worth finding your own dispensing style. The SOP doesn't work for everyone's brain. Some people tick the box, finding each word on the script on the box, then tick the quantity and the expiry date. Others tick the script. By physically ticking you're ensuring that you've checked every word.

Finally double checking everything before you hand it over. As a dispenser, this normally involves picking into the basket, using the script and never the labels. Dispense from the top of the script, checking each part - drug name, strength, form, quantity, expiry date. Putting the label in and lining them up neatly. Then check them again (I start from the bottom of the script as it reads like a new script, meaning I'm more likely to spot an error) and sign the box as you put them into the basket. Finally, as you place the script into the basket, double check name and address on each page against the bag label.

This is how I dispense/check a prescription, everyone is different, but have a read through and think about how many times yours checking your own work, and how you're going to cope if you get distracted halfway through. Are you just going yo carry on, or are you going yo go back to a certain checkpoint.

Good luck, it's a tough job, probably going to get tougher, but it is satisfying, it switches on your rain, you're part of a team, and some of the customers are lovely!

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