Pharmacy team morale, or the lack of it, is dependent upon a meaningful, productive and fulfilling relationship between all staff and between pharmacists and management. Satisfied team members display visible signs that include cheerfulness, attentiveness to customer and patient needs, a willingness to ‘go the extra mile’ and a positive attitude. 

Issues such as increased absenteeism; conflicts with co-workers; insubordination; decreased productivity; disorganised and unkempt work environments; staff complaints about seemingly insignificant work-related issues; and patient and customer complaints about an employee’s behaviour are all signs of low morale.

With low morale comes a high price tag. Actively ‘disengaged’ employees cost businesses through absenteeism, illness and other problems that result when employees are unhappy at work.

It is very easy for managers – who may feel even more overworked than those they manage – to take the view that people are lucky to have a job and ‘should just get on with it’. In some respects, this approach may work in the short term, but over time, it has the potential to destroy morale, diminish productivity and cause staff retention issues. In turn, this will increase recruitment and training costs further down the line.