Work issues (how to approach boss) input needed

[SixBanger]

Hello all,
I've been at my current job since 2010 and I'm a pharmacy technician. I've been a tech since 2005 and I really love the job, and I'm thinking about applying to Pharmacy school next year. I make an "ok" living and one day would like to live on my own. I'm currently in my mid thirties, but the cards I've been dealt have never ever been in my favor. Two heart transplant recepient in '99 and '08, AED installed in '97 and hernia surgery in March of this year. That's not everything, but you get it. I'm just sharing the shit show I've had to deal with during my Adolesence years. Moving on.....

In April of '10 I started working at a retail pharmacy (Mom and Pop Pharmacy). It was quite a transition due to the fact that I had worked at CVS pharmacy from '06-'08. CVS fired me in late '08 because I had heart issues and was getting ready for my second transplant. I didn't have the time to fight with them over rights and their bullshit. I had to be admitted a week later into the hospital because I had a clot in one of my coronaries. In October '08 I almost died but I did get a new organ and another shot at life.
In Spring of '09 I looked all over for a pharmacy tech position and no one was hiring whatsoever. Also, remember in '09 the economy was at it's worst and finding any job was nearly impossible. It wasn't easy for me either, depression hit me hard and people I went to high school with were graduating with degrees on Facebook. ADHD wasn't kind to me at all. I kept looking and was determined to find a job, and finally that happened in January of '10. I took a job at a local popular sports bar working as a food runner. I wasn't thrilled but I had no choice at this point in my life.
Moving forward, I left the restaurant job because my old boss from CVS called me to inform me that a job opening was available at a retail (mom and Pop) pharmacy. I was thrilled and got the job, but after just 2 months all pharmacy staff got held up at gun point due to the opiod epidemic that still goes on til this day.
I applied to another pharmacy after quitting the previous pharmacy a month later. I was putting up with really bad nightmares that haunted me for quite sometime. I started the new retail pharmacy 2 months after leaving the previos pharmacy job. I loved it so much better than my previous pharmacy job, I'm a firm believer that shit happens for a reason.
I'm still at the same pharmacy til this day and love it here. However, there were some transitions that I wasn't told prior to happening in '14. The owners sold the pharmacy in April of '14. The pharmacy went through some drastic changes from physical to internal changes. The new owners of the pharmacy were very smart, educated and overwhelming in the beginning. They were strict, firm and somewhat reasonable. For me, I was very overwhelmed, intimidated and ADHD was just burying me due to mistakes.
Currently working with me since ownership transition in April of '14. I have a pharmacist, "administrator", and 2 techs working the specialty side of the pharmacy. I work the retail end, and I pull a majority of the weight in the pharmacy, only because I have more certifications with compounding and some light chemo. Not only that, but I'm the only employee that has worked their the longest (7 years) til this day. New owners bumped up my pay a month after transition, then after 2 months they lowered my income. I blame it on the ADHD and myself. I put up with ADHD for quite sometime when I was younger, but couldn't get on the stimulants due to my medical history and side effects. So, I only did something about my ADHD in January of '17, since then I've been kicking ass and learning more and the owners are extremely happy. In the handbook it states that every employee should get a review on an annual basis. I haven't had a review since '14 and that 's when they lowered my income.
For this purpose, we'll call the "Administrator" "Jackie". Jackie was hired in '09, she worked next door to my pharmacy in a travel agency. One of the owners hired her, for what reason puzzles me to this day. I have no idea.
She has no pharmacy work history, but before ownership transition in '14 she was always out "marketing" with this one particular owner and never ever helping out with pharmacy related work. Nope, she was always in and out doing a bunch of nothing. As time went on, we all just assumed that she was hooking up with the owner, because she didn't bring in any business with all the marketing she claimed she did. It was just a joke.
During ownership transition Jackie started to work behind the pharmacy all of a sudden. During the transition she started showing up every morning and "pretending" to work, but she was only typing bullshit emails to the previous owner and shopping online. I'm a firm believer that the previous owner lied straight to the faces to the new owners about "Jackie" and her scope of work. It made me sic and I wanted to say something, but I couldn't because I didn't know the new owners that well. Nor did I want to be "that guy" either so I rolled with the punches.

Til this day, Jackie has the sweetheart deal at my pharmacy. She does nothing but type emails about her side gig travel job all day, runs outside during business hours to call the previous owner to tell him private information on what's going on with pharmacy business. She runs personal errands, and takes hours and hours of time to do them. When the owners come up to visit monthly, she kisses their ass and is so fake. She brings in no money to the pharmacy at all, and contributes nothing. That is it! Nothing more, nothing less. Right now for 1 week, she's in Las Vegas paid vacay to pick up minuscule checks from a wholesale convention.
What kills me is that I had to pull out a check from the company check book last year to pay a vendor. Next to the check that I pulled out, was the stub titled: "Jackie's pay". I about fell over and died I was soo pissed off and angry, and I still am to this day. They're paying her under the table, so her insurance doesn't go up. Here's the kicker, those 4 owners that took over in '14, well 3 of them book their vacations and trips through Jackie and she makes a nice commision everytime she books one of their trips every 2 months. Jackie showed me her commision book not that long ago, because we were talking about bullshit and business one day. I almost lost it when she showed me her comission for one of their vacations. Since then, I've been trying to keep it together but it's not easy especially when you have to look at this individual on a day to day business. All I want to do is spit when I walk into work.
Don't get me wrong at all, I love working for the company but the "Jackie" situation is a fucking joke. If I setup a meeting next time the owners are in town and vent I think they'll tell me to leave. I'm well over due for a raise, and my Pharmacy Manager doesn't have my back at all. He doesn't have my back at all. We get along and he's happy with my work ethic, but when it comes down to work politics he doesn't have the balls to say anything to the owners. How do I approach the owners the next time they're visiting my pharmacy on "Jackie" and an over due raise that I'm owed? Should I not say anything about Jackie or kind of hint some other way to justify myself? I dont want to say anything bad to where they'll just show me the door. It's a very very difficult situation, and I don't know how to approach them about my concerns without blowing it. I've been working at their pharmacy for quite sometime, and I'm not being acknowledged at all in years.

[eluded]

Don't be bitter. Leave it alone, it's not any of your business. Focus on your pitch for more money and why you deserve it and how much you benefit the company and how hard you work.

Next up, go back to school. Apply! Pharmacists make great money! How else can One make $150k+ at Safeway or Walmart

[shay2nak]

I would say find a job at another pharmacy or even better go to pharm school.

The Jackie thing is out of your control and I don't think it would be a good idea to bring it up. You pretty much answered your own question I think when you said the owners book trips through her and she makes a commission from those. They hired her for whatever reason, so I'm pretty sure they know what she's doing or not doing.

However, I would ask for a review since it's overdue. Why would they raise your pay, lower it and when your performance improved, not raise it again.

[Scout10]

ditto . . . .make your case for a raise. If no raise.......guess that should tell you
where its going. Then time to start looking else where.
Can your talents be used at the VA . . . .they all have a pharmacy.
Given your health....pharm school is how long ? ? 2yrs and a real grind.
Can you do that?

[3rdcoast228i]

The Jackie battle sounds like one you will lose swiftly.

I dont think they will give you a raise big enough to make you happy about the situation.

Find another Job!!!

[Housekeeping]

Where are you located? My company works with compounding pharmacies throughout the US. Can you give me a clue as to the name of the pharmacy? Sounds like?

[ipso_facto]

Originally Posted by 3rdcoast228i

The Jackie battle sounds like one you will lose swiftly.

I dont think they will give you a raise big enough to make you happy about the situation.

Find another Job!!!

My sentiments exactly. Well stated.

You are never going to win, with putting Jackie down. It seems like she does everything to give the impression of a good contributor. In addition: if she has arranged holidays for the pharmacy owners, and the owners have enjoyed their holidays: they are going to be happy to keep her. Ostensibly, it sounds like she is doing all of the right things to keep the owners and the manager happy. Don't misinterpret me: I fully understand your description.

It seems you are clouding your own feeling of being unappreciated and not receiving the recognition (both financial and your overall contribution), with the success of another individual. This is not a binary equation: your lack of a raise is not attributable to Jackie's attractive financial compensation package and other kick backs she is receiving.

The best thing to do here, based on what you have said : leave. Interview for another position. Educate yourself further in your field. Secure yourself something in advance. But just leave. This is not 2009. The job market and general economy has moved on.

My recommendation: do not "burn any bridges". Wish them all well. Shake Jackie by the hand and wish her the best for the future. You can leave happily, knowing that once you walk, she may have to re-consider how she applies her time in the work place.

BTW: you may not realise it - you quoted her real name in your description. You might want to edit that.

[E92 M Sport]

You answered your own question. She's sleeping with the owner(s) and you'll never be able to overcome that, no matter how much you demonstrate to them how useless she really is. Time to get a new job and let them all fail. Good luck!

[Orion335]

Either get your Pharmacy degree or start heavily applying to in-patient pharmacies at hospitals near you. Get the hell out of retail pharmacy, there's a lack of structure and job security. Your compounding and chemo experience will be much more valuable in the hospital setting. That's advice coming from a Pharm.D/Ph.D.

[AIRPOWER]

Sad story but not unique. You see this all the time in almost any workplace.

I would talk to your manager first before talking to the owners about your raise, 28 years in the military have taught me to always use the chain of command. Like other have said the issue is not Jackie, its you not being compensated for what you think you are worth. Bringing her up in any conversation other than with your family, close friends or therapist is not advisable and its even risky to talk about her in here.

Simultaneously, I would be pimping myself else on all the job sites like indeed.com. I would think with your experience, it wouldn't be difficult to land a new job with a equal or better salary. It's always nice to have options.

If you don't get the raise with your current job and can't find a new one then it's time to swallow your pride till you get a new one or re-engage again over a raise in say 6 months.

BL - problem is NOT Jackie, forget about her, be happy for her and move on. It all comes around eventually, karma is a bitch.

[SixBanger]

Originally Posted by eluded

Don't be bitter. Leave it alone, it's not any of your business. Focus on your pitch for more money and why you deserve it and how much you benefit the company and how hard you work.

Next up, go back to school. Apply! Pharmacists make great money! How else can One make $150k+ at Safeway or Walmart

Pharmacy school is 4 years. Transplanted heart only lasts 7-9 years.

[SixBanger]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

I would say find a job at another pharmacy or even better go to pharm school.

The Jackie thing is out of your control and I don't think it would be a good idea to bring it up. You pretty much answered your own question I think when you said the owners book trips through her and she makes a commission from those. They hired her for whatever reason, so I'm pretty sure they know what she's doing or not doing.

However, I would ask for a review since it's overdue. Why would they raise your pay, lower it and when your performance improved, not raise it again.

Quiting isn't an option for me at all, but it is in the back of my mind rarely. If I apply to another pharmacy job, they'll start me very very low and I'll have to start all over again.

[SixBanger]

Originally Posted by ipso_facto

My sentiments exactly. Well stated.

You are never going to win, with putting Jackie down. It seems like she does everything to give the impression of a good contributor. In addition: if she has arranged holidays for the pharmacy owners, and the owners have enjoyed their holidays: they are going to be happy to keep her. Ostensibly, it sounds like she is doing all of the right things to keep the owners and the manager happy. Don't misinterpret me: I fully understand your description.

It seems you are clouding your own feeling of being unappreciated and not receiving the recognition (both financial and your overall contribution), with the success of another individual. This is not a binary equation: your lack of a raise is not attributable to Jackie's attractive financial compensation package and other kick backs she is receiving.

The best thing to do here, based on what you have said : leave. Interview for another position. Educate yourself further in your field. Secure yourself something in advance. But just leave. This is not 2009. The job market and general economy has moved on.

My recommendation: do not "burn any bridges". Wish them all well. Shake Jackie by the hand and wish her the best for the future. You can leave happily, knowing that once you walk, she may have to re-consider how she applies her time in the work place.

BTW: you may not realise it - you quoted her real name in your description. You might want to edit that.

Next time the owners come in I'll be asking them for a raise (1 month), but this time I'm going to approach them wisely and bring justification. Bringing in A/R reports of which doctors I marketed for and what drugs came from those offices I marketed for.
If that fails it'll be time to pull out the resume to edit. What sux is I signed a non-compete, the non-compete states I must sit out a year and can't apply to any specialty pharmacies. I really don't want to leave, because I really do love it here, regardless of the other nonsense. I mean where ever I go there will always be drama or some slacker doing very little just to get bye. Plus, having to start from the bottom of the totem pole (lower pay). Thank you for your advice.

[SixBanger]

Originally Posted by Orion335

Either get your Pharmacy degree or start heavily applying to in-patient pharmacies at hospitals near you. Get the hell out of retail pharmacy, there's a lack of structure and job security. Your compounding and chemo experience will be much more valuable in the hospital setting. That's advice coming from a Pharm.D/Ph.D.

I'm immuno-suppressed and working in a hospital setting for me would be a death wish.

[The Wind Breezes]

Executive summary, when talking to your boss, honesty is your best policy but you have to have realistic expectations.

That's about it. Your story sounds incredibly bleak and you must be a very strong person to want to keep living. I might have already killed myself in your shoes. So what I'm interested to know is how the hell you're motivated to stay alive! Phrased another way, what are the things you live for?

[SixBanger]

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

Executive summary, when talking to your boss, honesty is your best policy but you have to have realistic expectations.

That's about it. Your story sounds incredibly bleak and you must be a very strong person to want to keep living. I might have already killed myself in your shoes. So what I'm interested to know is how the hell you're motivated to stay alive! Phrased another way, what are the things you live for?

I try my hardest to not let my past dictate my future or to have some ignorant asshole tell me otherwise. I believe that the man upstairs gave me these second and third chances, and that there is something in store for me in the future. Other than psycho therapy, working out and keeping busy at work thats what keeps me moving me forward, oh yes, and God.


There's a reason why a 50 year old biker passed away one night riding home from work. There's a reason why a young girl in Puetro Rico passed away while crossing the street. Both lives were taken and both families agreed to donate their loved ones organs, so I and other people can move on with our lives.
Heart failure really took a toll on my life and I couldn't do much moving around like any other kid at my young age. I missed many many great opportunities and missed out on really important stuff as well. Since my most recent transplant, I'm much wiser and trying not to waste time like I have in the past. I guess you can say, I've matured later in life (late bloomer) and eversince being on the ADHD meds in January. I'd like to make something of myself and become somebody.
A couple of people that I know through family friends, especially in the past 3 months, have pretty much asked me in a really nicer way: "Where are you going in your life?" and "Why do you still live at home?" I say in the back of my mind: "You have no fucking idea what you're talking about". I want to say that, but obviously I can't. So, I switch subjects or try respectively to walk away and avoid them in the future to avoid shit like this. Just because I haven't spoken to you in a couple years, doesn't just you give you the right to be a shallow ignorant individual at a restaurant during the weekend of the 4th of July. There's a right way to do things, and there's a right way to do things.

[Orion335]

Originally Posted by SixBanger

I'm immuno-suppressed and working in a hospital setting for me would be a death wish.

Gotcha. You might want to look for either a more-established mom n pop or another structured chain.

[Maynard]

You might also consider research or marketing, see if there are any contacts up the chain from suppliers. And buck yourself up while preparing to talk about a raise - they obviously throw money around there, so don't sweat asking for some of it for yourself.

But mainly, best wishes on finding ways to avoid wasting your time on assholes.

[NFiftyWon]

Only worry about what you can control in your life. If the owners want to pay someone a lot of money to do something, that's their choice. Although i can definitely empathize with your situation (I cant stand lazy people) at the end of the day you get paid X amount of dollars to do your job. If you feel it is unjust you can either leave or try to compromise. If it was me personally i would look for a job first and if you get it then you can approach management and see what they can or cannot do to prevent your departure. I hope all works out well

[ASAP]

Its overall a sad story and I feel for you. The Jackie thing is not really on your side, I would let that go. She is in cahoots with the owners and honestly is connected to them in a way that you are not. That's how it is effectively everywhere... look for a better job... take your time and find something that fits you well.

[BKV122]

Forget the whole "Jackie" situation. That is out of your control and shouldn't concern you Also like stated above you'll loose that battle probably.

If the Pharmacy Manager can at least vouch for you and your work ethic when asked by the owners you should be in good position to get a raise. But you can't let this Jackie thing annoy you tho. if it does, even after getting a raise/promotion then you're better off going else where

Good luck!

[Ross61]

You're working for a private company and complaining someone else is being paid more than you for tasks you are not (nor should be) privy to??

Suck it up buttercup.

If it were my company and you presented this to me as a reason for a raise, you'd be gone before the end of the day.

Private companies do things differently and are allowed to as long as they stay within EEO rules, laws and terminations.

If you do not like YOUR deal with the company, leave. What YOUR deal is has nothing to do with others.

Don't take it personal, it's business and "Jackies" business is none of yours.