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Home  »   PDA Trainee PharmacistLatest NewsBootsTrade Unions   »   Boots 2019/20 pay settlement – What this means to pharmacists and trainee pharmacists (called pre-reg until end of summer 2021)

Boots 2019/20 pay settlement – What this means to pharmacists and trainee pharmacists (called pre-reg until end of summer 2021)

The 2019/20 pay year is the first in which pharmacists have been able to collectively negotiate improvements to their pay at Boots.

Fri 1st November 2019 The PDA

The PDA Union will issue further communications about the pay settlement in the weeks ahead, but this short article shows how this settlement compares against the 2018 settlement, when under previous arrangements the company were able to apply the pay review without any challenge.

This article adds PDA Union commentary to the joint statement issued by PDA Union and Boots.

Once you have read this article, please also explore our Frequently Asked Questions section.

Joint Statement (with PDA Union notes):

Following a series of constructive pay negotiations between Boots Management Services Ltd and the PDA Union, the following has been agreed for trainee pharmacists (called pre-reg until end of summer 2021), pharmacists (including Relief Pharmacists, Care Services Pharmacists, Advanced Practitioners, and Specialist Practitioners) and pharmacist store managers in the bargaining unit for which PDA Union is recognised:

That from 1st November 2019:

1. The total payroll cost for those in the Bargaining Unit (excluding trainee pharmacists) will be increased by 1.8%

2. The increase in pay will be distributed as follows:

3. For the 2019/20 pay settlement, Boots have confirmed that all colleagues within the bargaining unit who are substantively appointed and performing in the role will be paid at least within the market range for their role.

PDA Union note: In 2018 those under the range “minimum” received a 3% pay increase but this could have still theoretically left them paid less than the ‘minimum’ range after pay review. This commitment means the company will pay at least 80% of the market median salary for the role

4. Boots have reaffirmed their commitment to providing long-term fulfilling and enriching careers for pharmacists, with the opportunity to develop and progress over time. Boots will commit to enabling pharmacists to better understand the types of considerations that could support their development and pay progression relative to the market range in the future.

PDA Union note: This was the company’s response in answer to PDA Union request that all pharmacists’ salary should be at least the market median rate within 5 years of appointment to that role. Whilst progression through a pay range depends on a number of factors, we are disappointed that pharmacists do not have a clear pathway to achieve their salary expectations for the role.

Boots have committed to develop further guidance and insight into this important topic. In the worst-case scenario, a pharmacist could work at Boots for their entire career whilst still not securing above-market-median pay. As with several aspects of the pay settlement, we’ll be returning to this point in next year’s pay negotiations. See also point 6.

5. Pay review letters will be available to individuals before the November payday. Colleagues will be able to access their letter via the benefits box system on 14/11/2019. The Benefits Box is available here.

PDA Union note: In previous years some letters were received after the new pay reached individual’s bank accounts and we wanted to make sure people were told about any changes to their pay in a timely manner.

6. The market ranges for roles within the bargaining unit will be available on Pharmacy Unscripted in line with the November pay cycle, from which colleagues will be able to calculate their position on the market range.

PDA Union note: During our recognition ballot process the company began making pay scales more accessible to pharmacists which is a further benefit of this process. We encourage all pharmacists to calculate what percentage of the market rate they are being paid. The market rate is the median average that other employers pay for comparative roles across the UK irrespective of individual experience, so being paid below the market median rate means pharmacists are being paid a below-market-average salary against comparable pharmacy employers.

7. A colleague’s performance rating will reflect their performance. The relative distribution should reflect business performance and individual performance.

PDA Union note: This means there should be no forced distribution of performance ratings, see our article from the ballot period. Please note that Boots have always denied that forced distribution is applied and any examples given by pharmacists about this are due to company processes not being followed properly.

8. It is confirmed that holiday pay is calculated to reflect the average actual pay. This means that when a colleague takes their contractual annual leave (including service enhancements but excluding bank holidays), their holiday pay will be supplemented for any overtime (including Extra Duties and Lunchtime Payments) worked during the reference period. The current reference period is the 13 weeks prior to the date of the holiday being taken, which will be updated in line with the forthcoming legislative change in 2020. The supplement is visible on the payslip as “HPSupp”.

PDA Union note: This means that by claiming for any additional hours that pharmacists work they won’t just be paid for those hours, they will also be increasing their rate of holiday pay.

9. All company-assigned training* should be undertaken during working hours. If this is not possible colleagues will be entitled to receive pay or TOIL for time spent undertaking that training, to be arranged locally in conjunction with the line manager.

PDA Union note: This means that pharmacist will not be required to undertake company assigned training in their own time and should be paid for undertaking that training activity if this cannot reasonably be accommodated within working hours. This should be managed in conjunction with the line manager and the PDP.

10. A joint working party will be established to review data on equality of pay between colleagues with different diversity characteristics currently recorded, such as age and gender.

PDA Union note: This means we will be able to look at the consequences of the company’s approach to pay management and identify any potential areas for detailed analysis before deciding if any action is needed.

11. The contractual working hours for trainee pharmacists only will be harmonised across the UK at 37.5 hours per week, with no loss of pay, to reflect the unique funding arrangements for trainee pharmacist salaries. This will mean a reduction of 2.5 hours per week FTE for those who work in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Standard FTE working hours for newly qualified and other pharmacists will not be affected by this change.

PDA Union note: Until this pay claim trainee pharmacists were for many years required to work 40 hours per week in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while those in Scotland worked 37.5. This doesn’t just equalise the hours, it also means trainee pharmacists in England, Wales & Northern Ireland will get an extra 2.5 hours per week to study (or whatever else they choose to do with their time). This one-off change to harmonise hours across the UK for trainee pharmacists is also equivalent to a 6.7% increase to the hourly rate of pay for English, Welsh and Northern Irish trainee pharmacists. Trainee pharmacists in Scotland are unaffected by this change as they already enjoy a reduced working week of 37.5 hours.

Further communications to members of the bargaining unit, providing more detailed information will follow from both parties. Boots will also communicate any necessary briefing to line managers.

* Company Assigned training is any training that is related to the role of a Boots pharmacist and colleague. This does not include training that a pharmacist is required to maintain their professional qualification or practice as a community pharmacist. This is an individual’s own professional responsibility. Any one-off NHS contractual changes which require significant capability intervention would be considered on an individual basis to be undertaken in working hours. This would be limited to 2 days per annum which is currently provided through the Let’s Connect programme.

Now read our Frequently Asked Questions section.

 

 

 

 

 

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England; Company No 4746656.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is an appointed representative in respect of insurance mediation activities only of
The Pharmacy Insurance Agency Limited which is registered in England and Wales under company number 2591975
and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register No 307063)

The PDA Union is recognised by the Certification Officer as an independent trade union.

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