The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has advised locum pharmacists to be vigilant about their interests and negotiate directly with their businesses, avoid working with digital platforms driven by algorithms, and be aware of regressive contract terms.
The not-for-profit organisation issued such an advisory following its survey of 1,300 UK locum pharmacists, which showed that they work in a difficult environment and that most are dissatisfied with their jobs.
Their grievances include declining rates of pay with often non-existent opportunities for negotiation, non-payment of legitimately incurred expenses, and some contractors operating unscrupulously with last-minute changes to agreed shifts and questionable contract terms.
On the other hand, with the increasing focus on 'Pharmacy First', there is an increase in their scope of work and expectations.
But past surveys have shown that competent staff are in short supply.
The PDA survey found that locum pharmacists face more barriers than their employed peers in accessing professional development and training.
Some universities bar them from taking up Independent Prescribing courses.
Many locums expressed concern that their work is not valued, though the scope of their services has increased.
The PDA observed that adverse pharmacy eco-systems have resulted in locum pharmacists accepting poor treatment in a way that many trades, such as plasterers, plumbers, and electricians, would not tolerate.
However, it observed that it doesn’t have to be like that if locum reps follow best practices.
The PDA exhorted locums to consider the collective advice from its locum representatives before entering into a contract, and think about the wider consequences of accepting terms which they truly believe are not appropriate.
Every time a locum accepts a lower rate or unfair contractual clauses, this enables unscrupulous businesses to make that the norm.
The PDA advised locums to negotiate directly with the company or the business owner.
This will help them get better rates of pay and a clearer understanding of the expectations of them in the workplace, it added.
The PDA has a dim view of platform and algorithmic working, and wants locums to avoid them.
While the contribution of a pharmacist is very different from many other “gig economy” workers, the technology and thinking behind platforms built around algorithms aim to minimise the cost to the client business while ensuring a payment is still secured for the platform owners.
The absence of the ability to negotiate a rate might be considered one of several red flags, it added.
PDA wants locums to be fully aware of the terms under which they are proposed to be engaged, and be aware of regressive contract terms.
It advised locums to decline the work if some terms appear problematic and to seek alternative work elsewhere.
While taking up a contract, Locums should take into account whether their employers are ready to pay for their travel and accommodation expenses.
If an employer does not offer reasonable travel or accommodation remuneration, or an increased rate to reflect those extra costs conferred, then deduct it from the overall payment being offered and consider again if the hourly rate is reasonable.
