Consequences for missing a shift?

[Ritalin]

I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me shed some light on a situation for me.

A friend of mine, newly qualified, had booked a shift in advance for Sainsbury's. He then in the interim got regular work with an independent pharmacy and forgot about the Sainsbury's booked.

As a result, he missed the shift.

Are there any legal implications to this or from the GPhC for him?

Kind regards,

Methylphenidate

[spartacus]

I don't know about the GPhC but i don't think that that sainsbury's store will be calling him again.

[Ritalin]

Not at all surprised. They cancelled his future shifts and apparently threatened him with the GPhC.

He came and asked me, but as a fellow newly qualified, I've never been in this situation myself so didn't know how to answer!

[Merlyn]

Well, breach of contract for a start. Extremely unprofessional. What would happen for example if a patient left a prescription 10 minutes before the end of the previous shift, went off to do some shopping, and the then on-duty pharmacist left, assuming your friend would arrive? Or did he expect that the previous pharmacist would just do another shift?

So I think Sainsbury's are justified in referring him to the GPhC. However, I suspect that the Council, even if they decide to have a hearing will just warn him as to his future conduct. Of course he'll have to tell his new employers about his being reported. If I'd been the previous pharmacist, and not had a personal apology, I might refer him to the GPhC myself! Especially if I'd been significantly inconvenienced!

[johnep]

You should have two diaries. Vest pocket with you at all times and a desk diary at home. These should be reconciled frequently.
I was inadvertently double booked on several occasions. (My wife took bookings at home). The diary meant I could give ample warning to cancel if necessary.
johnep

[weeneldo]

Or if you have a smartphone, use your email service's calendar and set it synchronise with your phone's calendar (meaning you can skip the hassle of synchronising home and work diaries) and can access your diary on any computer with the internet and also your phone.

[pharm2k]

Hi,

I would say the consequences are more from a professional point of view as a working professional.If he completly forgot about the shift without informing them at all in advance that hes not going to be able to do the shift or early on the day its not good.Sainsburys will probaly have been able to find emergency cover on the day but pharmacy may have had delayed opening.

It also depends on if he got contacted on the day he missed shift was he able to explain himshelf propely.

Generally though worst that will probally happen is dont expect sainsburys to ever contact him and possibly a warning as to how a professioal should behave as once a booking is made you have to do it unless its cancelled in plenty of time,your unwell and cant do,now in full time work etc.

[johnep]

'Or if you have a smartphone, use your email service's calendar and set it synchronise with your phone's calendar (meaning you can skip the hassle of synchronising home and work diaries) and can access your diary on any computer with the internet and also your phone.'
Oh! I now realise technology has left me far behind.
johnep

[hibernia]

'Or if you have a smartphone, use your email service's calendar and set it synchronise with your phone's calendar (meaning you can skip the hassle of synchronising home and work diaries) and can access your diary on any computer with the internet and also your phone.'
Oh! I now realise technology has left me far behind.
johnep

You and I may have been left behind by technology but we can still turn up at the right place on the right day with only an old fashioned diary or desk calendar to guide us. What more do we need?

[sparkybw]

To be honest that is a really bad thing to do. It is bad enough when the locum comes in late.

One Sunday morning the locum phoned to say that he would be late. That meant that I coiuldn't open up the pharmacy as we are not allowed to sell anything unless the pharmacist is present. When one of the regular customers came in wanting his whatevers i had to say sorry but I can't sell them to you as I'm not allowed to unless the pharmacist is here. This was just for an over the counter thing. I tried to persuade him to get something from the range in the store but he was having none of it and went over and complained to one of the managers.

So I explained to her, we can't sell anything unless the pharmacist is present. I can't even open up the pharmacy. Then she said oh well, humph, I will serve him if you won't! So then I'm stood there saying, I can't let you do that! It was horrendous. Finally the store manager came over on his regular walks round and he said that I was right and we couldn't sell the stuff and the customer would have to go elsewhere or wait!

So, if you are not going to turn up for work make sure that you call in as early as possible.