To report this pharmacy?

[ShallWeGoToTheFirepit]

Morning all.

I work very nearly FT in the financial services industry. I have a local pharmacy that I go to very often for my medication, only a few doors up from where I live.

I've built up quite a good relationship with the owner. A few months ago, the owner asked if I wanted to work behind the counter on an Ad-hoc basis. Doing some afternoons in the week and a Saturday, which could work for me as my hours are condensed and I'm saving to buy my first house. I am late 20s with a young DC with years of customer service experience behind me.

I said yes, and that we'd negotiate pay on my first 'taster day' as there was a queue of customers behind me.

I returned a few days later, she showed me the ropes and I was off. It was very basic shop tasks, till work. Collecting and giving out prescriptions and over the counter medicine. I could only do the OTC stuff when she was there which was fine. It was very easy, although on my feet all day and tiring. As expected.

I kept trying to ask about pay but got the impression she was putting it off. It got to 2.30 (started at 9) and I'd had no breaks, I told her I needed to get something to eat as I have medications to take with food. She knows the medications I'm on anyway as she regularly dispenses them. I was told 'go and have a sandwich and come back.'

I got back, asked about the pay again. She said £8 per hour, cash or bank transfer!!! Substantially under NMW for a start. She also said I wouldn't start being paid for a 'few more days' to 'see if I'd like the role.'

I haven't been back since. AIBU to think this is one, cheeky fuckery at its finest and 2, completely illegal? She has 2 youngsters which are likely students working there at the moment. I live in Surrey and this is a family run pharmacy.

Is it worth a report? If so, is it trading standards?

Capitalism at its finest.

Did you report it. I hope so.

That's not what I said though is it.

I said quote
To be honest, if the pay was right, I possibly could accept cash in hand for the add hoc hours so my employers wouldn't know anyway.

But that's not the case, and they're aware.

As in I could and work wouldn't have a way of knowing. But I clearly said above that it's appalling, and I WONT do it.

Hiya,

Yes I did end up reporting it. I've also had to stop my repeat prescriptions going there as it's a bit awkward for me going in there now! From what I can see one of the youngsters has now left, I'm not sure if I would hear back in regards to an investigation but hopefully they treat their staff better and the report does actually make a difference!

I think many people would be glad they don't work for you. We're in a COL crisis, people are trying their best to make ends meet.
You sound like an awful person to be working under.

Do not go back there. The whole thing seems madly unprofessional. Just imagine being served by someone who possibly shouldn't even be in the country, is being trafficked, and is possibly not being paid at all, never mind the tax dodging element. I would report them to HMRC. Eight pounds an hour?! She must be absolutely batshit.

@FromAClosetInNorway if you work in Financial Services you would understand the implications of this. As an SMF - a senior manager regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority the implications for me of knowing I having 'senior' people working for undeclared cash in hand could be catastrophic. I could lose my job, and be banned from working in FS ever again. It's not about being kind or cost of living there are (rightly) incredibly strict rules for people working in Financial Services.

Oh the power!

I have said multiple times I am NOT doing it, I HAVEN'T worked there. The whole 'cash in hand' topic is partly why I started this thread as that, along with the awful pay itself, and the high staff turnover, I wondered if it's worth reporting.

Nobodies job is at risk. I am also senior management, regulated by the FCA. I repeat for the last time, I didn't take the job. I have had a few 'side jobs' throughout my decade in the financial services, all done above board, everybody aware. I work for one of the biggest FCA registered companies in the U.K., once again, I am not stupid.

At no point did I say I was contemplating taking it. I said I 'could take the job' as I could technically - nobody would know.
But I haven't, and won't.
Why would I take on a job that I was contemplating (and have now done) reporting?
Hopefully that's got the message across.

I didn't take the job, I've only been in there since to collect medications, but I've reported them.

It's awful isn't it, £8 an hour is an absolute insult to anybody.

@HRTea

Who cares about your role, or what you do. That wasn't the point of this thread. You seem desperate to tell everybody on this thread that you're senior and have the power to sack people. Especially people trying to earn a bit more money. Be grateful that you aren't in a position of needing more work to keep a roof over your head and stop being a busy bint.

OP I wasn't replying to you. I was replying to another poster who didn't seem to appreciate the very specific rules for FS employees

For goodness sake will people stop latching onto one minor aspect of the OP's comments and stay on topic.

Yes you are all super-compliant people working in financial services and never put a foot wrong. We get it. Not the point of the thread.

Now back to the actual topic which is about a pharmacy (also a regulated profession by the way) not paying wages as due, and not paying NMW.

Or indeed the fact that being a pharmacist is also a regulated profession and also has professional duties. Complying with employment laws would be a basic part of that.

Thank you!!

I actually managed to speak to a neighbour (the pharmacy is on our road) and she was also offered a job in there, on the same ad hoc basis, for £8 an hour.

I know that one of the youngsters who worked there is there 6 days a week in the holidays. If he's getting paid £8ph for working 6 days a week then it's just appalling.

I did say all of this to HMRC when I reported them. I just hope they get to the bottom of it and the employees end up getting the pay they deserve.

Well done for reporting.

What a cowboy outfit.
I would be very nervous of a place like that making serious mistakes.

Was it Mrs sunak senior's pharmacy near Southampton?

Underpayment of staff is a deliberate act and not linked to making mistakes - however could be deliberately cutting corners to save costs

Of course it is liked to making mistakes being made, if your employment model is to under pay, employ teenagers etc., to do a job that depends on accuracy.

Employers that cut corners on pay are the very type that cut corners on safety.

@ShallWeGoToTheFirepit well done. I'd strongly recommend you stop using them as a client also.
They're breaching employment law so flagrantly I wouldn't trust them with my medicine. And they make money off you each time you use them.
Can you get a pharmacy company who delivers to your home?
That one are probably in breach of the pharmaceutical council so will be struck off soon anyway.