The Ranting Thread

That's awful, sweetie. It seems to me that they don't care about the health of people who work for them, because it's been studied that most people don't work as well after 8 hours of work. Are you hourly? Because aren't they supposed to pay time and a half after 8 hours? It doesn't seem like a very intelligent decision.

I never shopped at Wally world until I lost my job. I just had too many bad experiences with other customers.

Nay wrote:

Do they mean the role to turn into a shift work type arrangement where you'd each do 4 (or so) x 12 hour days and then have 3 (or so) days off? Is that their aim?

I don't think they have given a thought to how to accomplish the 12 hour days with only three techs. That's left up to the pharmacist in charge. I'm sure that he'll try to make a eight hour shift schedule, but there's only so much you can do. If one of us is sick or on vacation, that means that one tech will have to work a 12 hour shift. Most pharmacies have at least five or six techs, but because it's a small town, we aren't allowed that many.

Actually, I think their aim is to force pharmacies to give up their older, well trained techs (who are paid more) and replace us with off the street minimum wage teenagers. You understand, the people making these decisions have never worked in a pharmacy and have no idea how complicated the tech's job can be. They think it's the same as cooking fries at McDonald's. Yet these very people insist that it's the techs that actually read, input, fill, label, take care of the insurance, call the doctor's offices for refills and deal with the customers along with all the other stuff they want done.
Now, usually one tech handled the counting, filling and labeling, while the other handles inputting the incoming scrips, talking to the customers and dealing with insurance and we both catch the phone. That will have to stop and one person will have to do it all, because there will be only one tech there at a time. The pharmacist double checks behind us twice, counsels patients, bags the script and takes docter's calls. The whole system is set up for a minimum of two pharmacist and three techs plus two cashiers. I know how hard it is for me when I'm the only tech now on nine hour days. Every day will be like that now. I can't imagine working like that for three more hours a day.

Sorry, I didn't mean to get so wordy.

That really stinks, they are not only going to put more stress on the lone tech, but they're setting themselves up for more mistakes to happen and then the customers could suffer from those mistakes. My biggest pet peeve is that businesses don't use simple common sense when making decisions.

Sharabella wrote:

Actually, I think their aim is to force pharmacies to give up their older, well trained techs (who are paid more) and replace us with off the street minimum wage teenagers.

That seems to be the way of many service industries unfortunately. Common sense should tell your pharmacy owners that the customer feels more comfortable with a knowledgeable, assured and experienced older technician who knows their stock rather than a young, inexperienced, ill-informed, sometimes unwilling newbie. I certainly, as a customer, gravitate to the older assistants because they simply know more.

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Now, usually one tech handled the counting, filling and labeling, while the other handles inputting the incoming scrips, talking to the customers and dealing with insurance and we both catch the phone. I know how hard it is for me when I'm the only tech now on nine hour days. Every day will be like that now. I can't imagine working like that for three more hours a day.

I hesitate to ask but do you have a union, Sharabella? A Miscellaneous Workers Union perhaps? If so, it may be worth checking with them regarding working hours and entitlements. Here's a link to one Australian state's award for Pharmacy Assistants: http://www.fwa.gov.au/consolidated_awards/an/AN120416/asframe.html

In the section entitled 'Ordinary Hours of Work', it says this:

The ordinary hours of work shall not exceed thirty-eight per week or an average of thirty-eight per week, to be worked in any one of the following forms:

(i) 38 hours in any one week, or

(ii) 76 hours in two consecutive weeks, or

(iii) 114 hours in three consecutive weeks, or

(iv) 152 hours in four consecutive weeks.

Save for meal times prescribed, all time worked between the actual commencing time and the actual ceasing time on any one day shall count and shall be paid for as time worked; provided that an employee may be required to work reasonable overtime.

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Sorry, I didn't mean to get so wordy.

Get as wordy as you want, Sharabella. You certainly explained the situation well enough for me to get annoyed.

The US has a standard 40 hour work week. Walmart follows the rules and, unless there is sickness or vacation spots to fill, we aren't required to work over 40 hours. (Though I have worked up to 50 hours a week when there is a crisis) If we do, we get time and a half overtime pay for those hours. (and walmart-HATES to pay overtime ) I just wish the cretin who insist on being open 12 hours without more help and the idiot who decided that techs should be able to walk on water (and planed a system that requires 9 steps to fill and track a single script ) had their heads slammed together.

My rant:

It snowed in Dallas. Ugh.

And I am sick.

Ugh.

That is all.

It snowed here too, enough to force me to take a personal day. I get 2 per year, and it's not even the end of January.

I hope you feel better soon, Dallas.

We didn't get snow. The moisture stopped before the cold front got here. We will have a hard freeze tonight and tomorrow night. Gotta remember to run the faucets.

My cat threw up a hairball in my bed last night. I had JUST CHANGED the sheets the night before, and I had to change them again about 11pm last night so I could go to bed. Thank God I had another clean set so I didn't have to wait for the washer and dryer to finish the load.

It's been a bad week already and it's only Tuesday. And now I'm sad today and I can't seem to break out of it. I think it's a combination of January winter blues, lack of sunshine, nasty weather and hormonal stuff. We're supposed to get 3-6 more inches of snow this Thursday. It was just beginning to melt from everything, and now here we go again.

My job is getting on my nerves too. We have a new boss and I'm getting a lot of work dumped on me. I'm thankful for my job and I like working here, but I could use a vacation. I don't see how that's ever going to be possible though. And even if it is, I have no money to go anywhere and nothing to look forward to.

{{{ hugs}}} to everyone!

I am sorry DK. I understand about the weather. I want to take a very long run to blow off my anxiety and it's raining. No indoor equipment can beat the outdoors, imo.

We all need a break. Maybe I will take my last three dollars and buy us lottery tickets. Well, I don't play the lottery when I have money so what am I saying?

I can use a change of scenery.

Okay, I've got a rant.

I went to see the movie Blue Valentine tonight. It has Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams in it. It is kind of an indie movie that I guess was at Sundance, and I think Michelle might be nominated for an Oscar for. Maybe Ryan too, not sure.

The movie has exceptional acting. Very raw, nothing held back kind of stuff. This is a movie you go to if you want to see actors at the top of their game and a good character study. This is not a movie you go see if you want to feel good. It is depressing. It's about the end of the marriage between two people who were once in love.

Long story short, all of the above is not what my rant is about. It's about one of the people in the audience. This movie is rated R. It's very sexually graphic. We are talking about graphic intercourse as well as oral sex. Most definitely a movie for adults.

This woman comes in with her CHILD. This boy was probably no more than 10, give or take. He might of even been as young as 8. I was floored! I kept waiting for her to realize she made a mistake in bringing him whenever something like Gosling going down on Williams happened, but no. She didn't. I was uncomfortable just knowing this child was in the theater, and it wasn't even my child.

Oh, and another thing, as for the other people who actually weren't children in the audience, the other theater goers. When people have sex on screen, albeit graphic sex, just get over it and act like an adult. Don't get all giggly and noisy and weird about it because it makes you feel uncomfortable watching it with your friends. Do research on a film and why it's rated what it is first. And if you think you'll be too embarrassed to watch it with other people, don't go with those people. Movies are supposed to be a slice of life, and in real life, people have sex. Grow up and act like an adult about it! Otherwise, go see another movie that won't make you so uncomfortable.

Sorry for getting on my soap box, but this whole thing really got under my skin.

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Movies are supposed to be a slice of life, and in real life, people have sex.

They do? It must be those other people.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

LOL, Donna! Good point. I'm not having sex either. But I hear other people are. Must be nice.

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Movies are supposed to be a slice of life, and in real life, people have sex.

People in real life don't say "You look like shit."

No, they say "you look tired". It sounds much more civilized and passive-aggressive.

Uh-------I have been know to say those very words. But only to my dearest friends, and only if it's true. It's one step worse than "death-warmed-over" and one step under "good lord! Go back to bed until you look human."

Weird LN. Some people hear a film has sex and they only go for that, not knowing about the whole film.

As for the kid, I don't know what to say, but if that lady wasn't embarrassed to bring her kid, maybe she wanted to see the film and couldn't find a babysitter. Or she's one of those parents who don't want to hide anything from their kid.

LOL, DK! I'm more that way. Why do I have to see sex, sex, sex in everything I watch? I don't get giddy if there's a sensual moment in a film, but I definitely don't go watching a film just because...

Being sick sucks and Nyquil is nasty.

That is all.

being sick does suck. hope you are feeling better tomorrow.

does nyquil make you sleep? i can't take it.....it's like taking speed for me.

I guess we'll find out. I went to Walgreens and noticed a lot of the cold meds have to be purchased at the pharmacy desk due to them containing pseudoephidrine.

most people it knocks out like a light...which is a good thing. me? i have wonky metabolism and it will keep me awake for 2 straight days. kinda sucks, coz when i'm sick there is nothing i can take to just make me sleep!

Yep, Donna. Some people use it to make meth, so they make you go up to the counter.

They have a law in CA that you cannot buy more than 2 or 3 types cough medicine at a time, for that same reason.

Doesn't work for me when I'm stocking up.