Lunch breaks in the pharmacy have become a significant pain point. This has been extensively highlighted by numerous discussions on online forums such as Reddit, and it appears this issue has a global reach. In one thread, a pharmacist shared their experience, where they were pressured by their manager to skip breaks and lunches, with the implication that their registration could be “revoked” if they didn’t comply. The pharmacist stood their ground, taking their 30-minute lunch break and two 15-minute breaks as allowed by law, in defiance of the manager. “It drives me crazy when people skip [lunch breaks] and they’re not even getting paid for it!” they shared.
In light of the pressure, the pharmacist took to Reddit to discuss the age-old question: “AITA?” Reaching out to a group of peers to shed insight into the demanding work environment of the pharmacy.
This post struck a chord with many others, who shared similar stories of being pushed to the limit by their employers. “They can’t revoke your licence for taking the break you get by law.” one user advised. “Your licence is issued by your state, not by the store, so how do they plan on revoking it?” This sentiment echoed throughout the responses, with many emphasising the importance of understanding state labour laws and standing up for one’s rights.
Other users shared experiences from different pharmacy chains, where the situation wasn’t much better. “So when I worked at [a community pharmacy], in my onboarding paperwork I unknowingly signed away my break waiver,” one commenter revealed. After realising the mistake, they cleverly told their employer they would just leave a half hour early to make up for the missed break. It was a small victory in a system that often disregards the well-being of its employees.
Another Reddit thread titled “It’s Always About Lunch Breaks” offered an equally frustrating glimpse into the expectations placed on pharmacy staff by the general public. In this thread, a customer shared disapproval for the inefficiencies of pharmacists taking breaks: “People take work off to go to the doctor, and need their meds before they go back. So they’re burning off PTO waiting for a prescription, all because a pharmacist wants to eat a sandwich.” They continued “I get pharmacists want to eat, but people need their meds more.”
In response to this, one pharmacist remarked, “If you’re so deathly ill that our measly half-hour break will kill you, get your happy [self] to the ER, as you need more than a prescription.” This comment reflects the immense pressure pharmacists face to be available at all times, even when taking a legally required break. The commenter further noted how many medical clinics shut down entirely for lunch breaks, while pharmacists are often expected to forgo their own.
These experiences highlight a broader issue within the pharmacy industry: the unrealistic expectations placed on pharmacists and technicians, which can lead to burnout and reduced job satisfaction. While technological advancements, such as e-scripts, have streamlined many pharmacy processes, the industry’s work culture has lagged. The pressure to skip breaks or work through lunch is a symptom of a larger problem – prioritising profits and patient demand over the well-being of staff.
Pharmacists are crucial frontline healthcare providers, yet their working conditions often fail to reflect the importance of their role. Ensuring pharmacists and technicians take their breaks isn’t just a matter of following labour laws; it’s about maintaining a healthy and sustainable workforce. Studies have shown that regular breaks improve employee productivity, mental health, and overall job performance. In a profession where precision and attention to detail are critical, the potential for errors increases when staff are overworked and deprived of necessary rest.
While many pharmacists are stepping up and advocating for their rights, it’s clear that systemic change is needed. Employers must prioritise the well-being of their employees, ensuring that breaks are not only encouraged but enforced. The idea that a pharmacist’s time is less valuable than that of other healthcare professionals, must be challenged.
The discussions on Reddit offer a snapshot of the broader challenges faced by pharmacists and technicians across the industry. It reveals a broader truth and can be validated for other pharmacists who have been caught in similar positions or left feeling burnt out at the end of the day. The stories shared reveal a stark reality: while pharmacy has evolved in many ways over the past decade, work culture remains stuck in the past. For the future of the profession, it’s essential that both employers and regulatory bodies recognise the importance of employee well-being. After all, a healthy pharmacist is a better pharmacist, and ultimately, that benefits patients too.
https://www.reddit.com/r/PharmacyTechnician/comments/1839xi8/what_do_you_do_if_your_denied_a_breaklunch/ AITA breaks
https://www.reddit.com/r/pharmacy/comments/12hzogd/its_always_about_lunch_breaks/