YESTERDAY'S Fair Work Commission decision to reduce penalty rates for pharmacy staff working on Sundays (PD breaking news) would clearly lead to wage cost savings for pharmacy owners, and a pay reduction for employees working those days, according to Mark Nicholson, partner at pharmacy specialist accounting firm Pitcher Pharmacy.
The Commission has ruled that 7am-9pm Sunday penalty rates for full and part-time pharmacy staff would be reduced from 200% to 150%, and for casuals from 225% to 175%.
Public holiday rates have also been adjusted, from 250% to 225% for full and part-time pharmacy staff and from 275% to 250% for casual employees.
Nicholson pointed out that an issue may be "that there will be sufficient staff willing and able to work at the reduced rates" - otherwise pay would have to increase to attract and retain staff.
The community will benefit from the flow-on effect of more pharmacies being able to open, or open longer, on weekends, Nicholson noted - which in turn should lead to broader economic benefits, and in the medium-to-long term pharmacy staff will benefit from greater business stability for their employer, he said.
The Pharmacy Guild also welcomed the ruling, describing it as "reasonable, balanced and evidence-based".
A Guild spokesperson said the decision was a sensible way forward that balanced the interests of patients, pharmacy staff and pharmacy small businesses.
"It has never been in anyone's interest for pharmacies to be unable to open on Sundays or public holidays...this decision will help pharmacies to meet community expectations that they will be able to access vital health services seven days a week."
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia acknowledged the decision, and urged owners to continue paying employee pharmacists above award rates.
"It must be remembered that community pharmacies are not like other retail settings," said PSA president Joe Demarte.
"Pharmacists are health professionals and their contribution needs to be recognised and remunerated in a different way to that of other retail workers".
Demarte noted that pharmacists who work on weekends routinely provided care that keeps people from presenting unnecessarily to emergency departments.
Union group Professional Pharmacists Australia blasted the decision as undermining the vital service pharmacists provide.
"The rate of pay for pharmacists is already too low, and this cut to penalty rates will put further downward pressure on pharmacists," said PPA president Geoff March.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 24 Feb 17
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