Pharmacists predominantly work in safety-critical roles where the consequences of being tired or distracted through the lack of an uninterrupted rest break can have serious consequences if an error is made as a result.
The law establishes minimum requirements for rest breaks and sets limits on the working hours of employees and workers. These are absolute minimum safety standards; however, some employment contracts provide for more generous rest breaks than the basic legal minimum and in addition to any legal and contractual rest break entitlement, pharmacists have strict professional standards to maintain which require them to “practise only when fit to do so”.
The PDA has produced a guidance document for Boots pharmacists on how to stay safe by taking adequate rest breaks.
Download the rest breaks guidance here
