Monday, March 19, 2012

I'm Thinking This May Be A Bit Surprising To CVS Pharmacists.

Straight from the company's policy and procedure manual:


10  PHARMACIST MEAL BREAKS

10.1   Pharmacists Meal Breaks.

10.1.1 Pharmacists are encouraged to take a break of 15 minutes for every 4 hours worked, or 30 minutes for an 8 hour shift, whichever they may choose. If state laws or regulations allow for an alternative period, state law should be followed. An appendix identifying changes to the policy to comply with state law is attached to this policy. (I have the appendix too if you'd like me to send it to you, just drop me a line)

10.1.2  All breaks should be taken at a time which is the least disruptive to operations and practical for the pharmacist on duty, subject to all state specific rules and regulations.

10.1.3  Where permitted by state law, pharmacists may waive available meal and rest breaks. However, CVS/pharmacy encourages pharmacists to take breaks in accordance with this policy. (Emphasis mine. I bet your supervisor at CVS gets kinda irked if you wave your breaks, since they're encouraging you to take them. Am I right?) 


10.1.4 The pharmacy must remain open and pharmacy support staff should continue to work while the pharmacist is on break.

10.1.4.1 If more than one pharmacist is on duty, the pharmacist taking their break can leave the building for their break given the appropriate overlap.

10.1.4.2 If only one pharmacist is on duty they should remain onsite and must be available for consultation and emergency situations if needed.

10.1.4.3 Where practicable, pharmacists taking breaks in the pharmacy should utilize an assigned break area that is situated away from all pharmacy workstation areas.

10.1.5 The pharmacist on break is still responsible for the security of the pharmacy while other support staff continue to work.

10.1.6  Pharmacists must follow all State Specific rules and regulations applicable to meal breaks. If the State Board of Pharmacy has more stringent requirements please follow your state specific
guidelines inlieu of the above procedure.

10.1.7  Meal and Rest Breaks for full time salary pharmacists are paid.

10.1.8  Meal Breaks for hourly pharmacists are unpaid, unless the pharmacist is the sole pharmacist scheduled and the applicable pharmacy regulations require the pharmacist to remain on-site during his/her break.15 minute Rest Breaks are paid

(A big thank you to my latest Deep Pill for this scoop.)

11 comments:

Từ Thanh Giác said...

Can the CVS Pharmacist have a pee break or does that apply to the 15 minute break? What if he needs to your an 8 an hour after he used his break time?

Anonymous said...

My parents used to own a restaurant and put in long hard hours everyday. They used to tell me to study hard so that I can get a job where I can at least have pee breaks and sit down for lunch . . . .

Anonymous said...

10.1.4.2 If only one pharmacist is on duty they should remain onsite and must be available for consultation and emergency situations if needed.

10.1.4.3 Where practicable, pharmacists taking breaks in the pharmacy should utilize an assigned break area that is situated away from all pharmacy workstation areas.

10.1.5 The pharmacist on break is still responsible for the security of the pharmacy while other support staff continue to work.


THEN ITS NOT A FRIGGIN LUNCH OR BREAK IS IT?? Just saying....thats the same line of bullshit at my own store. a lunch is a lunch...remove myself from the pharmacy, eat in peace and come back in 30 minutes....never gonna happen...

bcmigal said...

California has its own regs for meals and breaks. Pharmacists are included in this since we have been "non-exempt" since 2000.

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_mealperiods.htm

bcmigal said...

California has its own regs for meals and breaks. Pharmacists are included in this since we have been "non-exempt" since 2000.

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_mealperiods.htm

Anonymous said...

If CVS really did this, my dog would be PIC.

Crazyjane said...

I worked for CVS for 15 years as a tech. I never saw a pharmacist take a lunch or 15 break. In fact, most of our techs didn't, either.

DrugMonkey, Master of Pharmacy said...

And right on cue, here's this month's CVS fuckup: http://bo.st/GNgaSx

Cindy said...

I don't remember having a decent lunch break ever with chains. I quickly learned to bite and swallow, forget chewing! haha! ended up with heartburn most of the time. i hope i will never have to go back to working with the chains!
nowadays, i get to sit in a break room and have my lunch undisturbed and still work in retail!

Anonymous said...

I'm a CVS pharmacist and I get a 1 hour lunch break because of the overlap coverage. But I also work in CA so there.

Anonymous said...

People who WILLINGLY stay in such a job have no right to complain. The fact that you think otherwise is laughable. What kind of idiot stays in these conditions for years or even decades? What happened to the courage to fight, and basic self respect?

If you hate it, quit. It's that simple. Less complaining, more being an adult and taking control of a situation.

If you're terrified of being unemployed, figure out a clever way to get fired so that you can collect Unemployment Benefits. You have been paying into that system your whole life, so technically it's already your money.

I read the linked California labor laws and I'm pretty sure the law is being broken with this no break bullshit. The only way it isn't is if you're specifically and explicitly agreeing to it, which is baffling.

So if you're not agreeing to forfeit breaks and lunches, then grow some fucking balls (or moxie, for the ladies) and take legal action. Or quit. Otherwise, shut up, because you are CHOOSING to remain in this job, and CHOOSING to do nothing about it.

I've quit shitty jobs a bunch of times, and walked off of ones that were particularly shitty. I've filed claims successfully with the US Department of Labor. What is stopping you from doing the same?