Locum to relief

[tinx25388]

Also in Boots, the reliefs seem to get the tougher stores than locums do, as the manic branches (like the one I work in) need people who are familiar with the layout etc and can keep up with the pace. No disrespect to locums here, its just that becoming familiar with where things are (often in stupid places) and how the particular branch operates can take time. We tend to see the same half a dozen reliefs, and seldom have a locum, whereas another, quieter branch down the road runs on locums!

[spartacus]

I agree that locuming is the lesser of two evils, but what you can do is work for two days or even three as a relief pharmacist and the rest of the time as a locum. That is what i intend to do. The reason for that is there will be times when you don't get any locum work, so the wage from your part time relief job will cover your bills at those times. Also if you intend to go on holiday (i'm planning on going away for a few weeks) you will get your holiday pay. Also someone told me that that when it comes to taxation it works out well if you are self-employed and employed (i forgot the reasoning). Also because you're an employee at a company, the company will pay for you to go on various accreditation courses, and it will be on days that you're working for them anyway. I qualified last year and started off a locum, and it was great when a lot work is available, but not so great at quiet time like january. So having a part-time relief job gives you some security.

[pharmer7]

IMO Boots are just as bad as Lloyds. Most of my worst days have all been in Boots stores especially the carousel type stores.

Those carousel stores are just bad news for me, as for Boots pharmacists being mainly checking, not had that experience, in the carousel stores. I always end up being at the front dispensing desk, doing labelling, dispensing and checking, which is not safe! Obviously there will usually be someone else at the front as well, but I've said it before, the face to face dispensing style that Boots use is the worst, most dangerous and least confidential systems around. I'll be honest, that is the one reason which stops me from ever working for Boots, the thought of being sent to store like that, and not being able to refuse it.

[dippsy]

Also someone told me that that when it comes to taxation it works out well if you are self-employed and employed (i forgot the reasoning) .

I'm not quite convinced of this. It would be useful to get the reasoning.

Let's add more things into the broth ...

1) The stress of working as an employee is certainly compounded by the quality of the people you work with. If you have a stressed and demonic line manager - which from my experience is more often than not - then this stress will also be reflected in your personal life and relationships. As an employee, you can't get away from the fight or flight reaction that is innate in all of us. The question is how much you value your health.

2) Office politics always comes into play. There is always one member of staff that will be problematic and will target you out for punishment (those of you who read the Dilbert comics will recognise this).

3) Unrealistic targets - "challenging" targets are actually "impossible". When you don't achieve them, the reaction is normally one of blame. They are designed to make you submissive.

There are others but I don't want to hog this thread!

I am long in the tooth. It was only after my third (or was it fourth?) job that I realised that this form of behaviour is part and parcel of working life as an employee. Luckily, I realised this before too much damage was caused to both my health and the people I loved in my personal life.

You work according to rules made up by somebody else. These rules are not for your benefit, they are for the benefit of those who made them!

Do yourselves a favour and resist the urge to work for somebody else. Make up your own rules that work for you!

[zakkaz]

Very good post, and one that makes me re-think the whole situation once more. It is a quiet time for us all, but no matter how lean times are, one should always value their health and relationships, and I would rather take whatever little locum work available and try my hand at other avenues, than endure ageing prematurely several decades (have you noticed how haggered employed pharmacists look compared to locums), and sitting on a 6 month waiting list for a heart op.

[Dasha]

funny

try my hand at other avenues, than endure ageing prematurely several decades (have you noticed how haggered employed pharmacists look compared to locums), and sitting on a 6 month waiting list for a heart op.

[dippsy]

Very good post, and one that makes me re-think the whole situation once more. It is a quiet time for us all, but no matter how lean times are, one should always value their health and relationships, and I would rather take whatever little locum work available and try my hand at other avenues, than endure ageing prematurely several decades (have you noticed how haggered employed pharmacists look compared to locums), and sitting on a 6 month waiting list for a heart op.

So very true! I was one of those haggard people a while back ... and now I am a true stallion!

No seriously though. Think about it. The analogy I would give is that if you see a tidal wave coming towards to, then do you run towards it or away from it? The same thing can be said for the world of pharmacy. The tidal wave in this instance is the fact that locum work is getting leaner ... And all of us know that it is not going to get any better in the short term. This is multiplied by the fact that most people seek 'security' by going into an employed position.

Bad move. That is running straight towards the tidal wave. You are not becoming more 'secure'. Companies will screw you at the drop of a hat. Add into the fact that if you are made redundant or asked to leave when there are no other jobs available then you are completely screwed.

What you should be doing is exactly the opposite. Run away from the companies and develop your own ideas so you can stand on your own feet.

The human reaction is to do the former rather than the latter.