Any advice?

[pharmacist_interrupted]

I'm currently a relief working for a large multiple. There's a particular branch in my area that due to a number of reasons I feel I can't cope with-I get panicky and and anxious at the thought of working there, and recently when I worked there I was on the verge of tears for parts of the day! I am also aware that other reliefs don't like it either. My question is, do you think it is unreasonable for me to do all that I can not to work there or does this seem unprofessional as I am not a locum and am employed by the company and therefore should just have to put up with it?I am thinking in that case others could also ask not to go, but I feel very strongly that this branch has a detrimental effect on me. I am very unsure what to do so thanks to anyone who can offer advice.

[DavidS]

I don't feel it would be professional of you to agree to work there, because of the patient safety aspect.
But it will not go well for you in your career with the company if you refuse. You cannot allow yourself to be promoted, really, into a situation in which you cannot cope. That way lies lifelong unhappiness. (Although see Peter Principle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for a more interesting view)

How you square that particular circle is the problem, as I see it.

I would be inclined to tell your AM that you have differences of opinion with the staff there, that you find upsetting and disorientating. If the AM then allocates you to that branch, you know where you stand with that company.

If this is a frequent problem for you with a number of people and places, I suggest counselling and/or life coaching while you sort it all out. It's arguably the only solution which will allow you to put it behind you.

[imaginegenerous]

See if you can speak to your AM about it if you feel they're approchable enough, particularly if you ask them for a bit more help in coping with that particular branch.

[Part Timer]

Depending on what the issues are with the branch, you might be being professionally irresponsible to NOT refuse to work there.
(examples: is it understaffed/poorly staffed/badly run/incredibly busy beyond your capabilities and experience?)
Remember what you're signing up for nowadays when you go to work, as responsible pharmacist you won't (might not) have the superintendent pharmacist to carry the can if the branch is being poorly run, the powers that be will expect you to exercise your professional discretion and close if patient safety might be at risk.

Better all round to have a quiet word with whoever does the pharmacist rota and ask not to be sent there, speaking from experience if a company respects their reliefs enough to keep them out of branches they have genuine issues with, then it's a company worth working for, and if they don't then they're not IYSWIM.


(Of course, if it's personal issues that you have with the place then it's probably best to just plod on and hope that your aversion to going there gets easier with time, but only you can make that decision.)

Good luck with it.

[pharmacist_interrupted]

Thanks for your advice everyone. Think I'm going to speak to my AM as it is starting to affect me on a day to day basis as it's always in the back of my mind and I'm going into work feeling upset. I may try to speak to my rota coordinator as well but I'm becoming more and more disillusioned as a whole with the company and am now considering switching to hospital or to somewhere else, although I'm not sure any other company is much better!

[Defblade]

Better all round to have a quiet word with whoever does the pharmacist rota and ask not to be sent there, speaking from experience if a company respects their reliefs enough to keep them out of branches they have genuine issues with, then it's a company worth working for, and if they don't then they're not IYSWIM.

As above.

I've had a relief position where I refused to work at one branch if a certain member of staff was on duty - that was accepted by the SI and all fine; I've refused as a locum to work at one branch of a major multiple as it was always very busy and the promised 2nd pharmacist was always moved somewhere else (or never booked in the first place....) and that was accepted fine by the bookings lady; there were a couple of places "I'm sorry, I'm already booked" and that was fine with me

There are enough jobs available (at the moment....) in pharmacy that I wouldn't stay in a bad job longer than I absolutely had too. Having said that, don't burn your bridges, you never know

[johnep]

I agree, always try to leave on a good note so you can return.
johnep

[Part Timer]

But more importantly, just leave!

(Took me 3 years to realise my first employers really weren't worth staying with, I left on good terms but I've honestly never been tempted to go back, funnily enough that was a 'large multiple', wonder if it's the same one? )

[Pharmanaut]

But more importantly, just leave!

(Took me 3 years to realise my first employers really weren't worth staying with, I left on good terms but I've honestly never been tempted to go back, funnily enough that was a 'large multiple', wonder if it's the same one? )

Just to echo previous responses, Leave but "don't burn your boats" in case you need to return.
After all, we are the professionals!

[SolomonQ]

would be interesting to find out what the issue actually was