The Chamber advises pharmacists to know their employment rights at every stage in their career. This may be done by consulting the website of the Department for Industrial & Employment Relations (DIER) by clicking here.
Furthermore, pharmacists who feel that their conditions of work have been breached should first consult this website in the appropriate section before seeking advice from their lawyer. This website gives thorough information on what is rightfully yours by law as well as gives the adequate guidance as to the reference points in case of breach of employment conditions. The DIER may be reached by telephone on 21224245/6.
Additional information may also be found in the booklet published by the Ministry for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties in May 2016. Please click here to download the booklet.
THINGS TO KNOW
1. Overtime is any hour in the same employment which goes over the 40 hour week.
2. Overtime should be paid at 1.5 times the basic hourly rate.
3. Sundays and Public Holidays should be paid at 2 times (double) the basic hourly rate.
4. “Time off in lieu” has to be agreed between the 2 parties namely employer and employee. If the employee prefers to be remunerated in cash rather than receive “time off in lieu” the employer is obliged to conceed to the employee’s request.
5. For “time off in lieu” for overtime, 1.5 hours should be given for every extra hour, while for Sundays & Public Holidays, 2 hours for every extra hour should be given by the employer to the employee.
CASE SCENARIOS
A pharmacist with experience in community pharmacy wishes to change career path. He asks advice re salary guidance for Responsible Person in wholesale dealing.
(This case was handled in March 2014 and posted in July 2014)
Taking into consideration Government Salary Scales for Pharmacists
Scale 10: Entry Level Basic Grade Pharmacist
Scale 8: Pharmacist after 8 years
Scale 7: Senior Pharmacist
Scale 6: Principle Pharmacist
Scale 5: Assistant Director
Scale 4: Director
As a general rule Managing Community Pharmacist with no experience would be offered a gross annual salary equivalent to Scale 7 (Senior) namely circa 21K. On the other hand a Responsible Person would be offered a slightly higher amount that is, either the starting of Scale 6 (Principal) namely circa 22K or the maximum of Scale 7 circa 24K.
Obviously this would be negotiable depending on market forces, availability, and experience offered by the right candidate.
For more information on Government Salary Scales click on the link to the Collective Agreement below.
REFERENCES