The evening of the work night out arrives. The night has been arranged partly as a work social event but also to celebrate the birthday of one of the dispensers. The plan is to head into town to have a meal and then perhaps head out dancing afterwards.
You all sit down to dinner and everyone in the group is drinking alcohol.
You excuse yourself and go to the toilet. Whilst returning to the table you notice our pharmacist up at the bar just out of sight of the main table. You see her downing what looks like whisky before returning to the table. She appears to be drinking chasers to top up her drinks already on the table.
What is your view of this behaviour and in your view does it matter that she is a pharmacist?
“Not professional for a works night out, especially as the pharmacist who is meant to be a figure of authority in community pharmacy.”
“It appears that she is secretly drinking away from her colleagues. This way they won’t realise how much alcohol she is consuming.”
“Unprofessional and yes.”
“This is dangerous behaviour by anyone. A health professional should be more aware of this than a layperson.”
“The society states that are health care professionals we should uphold the standing of the profession, regardless of where we are. However as it is out of work tome hours and we are out for a celebration then it begs the question when is too much, too much?”
“Unfortunately we are held to account for our actions outside of work to uphold the pharmacy name.”
“This appears to be unsociable drinking. If the public is aware this is a pharmacy night out, I don’t think this is appropriate as we have a responsibility to uphold professional standards.”
“It seems like she is attempting to hide some of her alcohol consumption from the rest of the group. At this stage, she is not working, however.”
“Not really I think the behaviour is worrying no matter who it is.”
“I think the unprofessional display of public behaviour that is likely to follow drinking so much is the problem. Especially if photos and videos are shared online afterwards, which can very easily circle the local community. It’s very easy for people to post online from their phones and things can spiral out of control so quickly.”
“Drinking in secret. Yes as it could indicate secrecy in other matters.”
“It’s not becoming of her to do so in a professional surrounding. And yes it does matter as she represents the profession at all times.”
“This is not setting a good example to the team of responsible drinking.”
“Depends on situation/personalities and depends on the social group. It doesn’t matter if she is a pharmacist. It is about recognising a problem, then making a judgement call on if it’s just affecting the individual or if it’s impacting their ability to function properly in their career.”
“It doesn’t matter if she is a pharmacist or not. I would see this as a red light to another issue, maybe mental health-related.”
“As it is a work social event I would frown upon this. However had it not been, then as an individual they have the right to choose what they do, irrespective of their profession. So long as it does not impact negatively on others.”
“It does matter that she is a pharmacist. As a health professional, she should be modelling safe behaviour, especially out in public and at a work event.”
“Again worrying that she feels she needs to hide it – that’s when it is a problem. I would be concerned whoever it was but we do need to keep a professional air when we are pharmacists.”
“Secret drinking suggests a bigger problem, I think it’s unacceptable whether the person is a pharmacist or not, but as a professional, she has certain standards that she should be held accountable to.”
“Secretive drinking is concerning as is the quantity.”
“It is very concerning and no, it doesn’t matter that she is a pharmacist. I would have as much concern for anyone doing this.”
“It’s a bit odd (it’s one thing to do shots as a ‘group’) but chasers alone indicate a problem. As this is outside of work, and presumably not on a ‘work night’ I’d be slightly less bothered that she’s a pharmacist.”
“Depends if she can control it or not.”
“As a pharmacist, it is important to remain professional in all walks of life, however regardless of the profession this would suggest a potential problem with controlling alcohol intake.”
“Alarming behaviour for anyone to display!”
“I think she is dependent on alcohol to continue to function and it matters that she is a pharmacist, but also that she drives a motor vehicle.”
“I think she is dependent on alcohol to continue to function and it matters that she is a pharmacist, but also that she drives a motor vehicle.”
“Sneak drinking implies a problem.”
“No.”
“Depends on how she is conducting herself other than the drinking.”
“Bad example to the team.”
“Again, a sign of problematic drinking, as “hiding” drinking from companions.”
“Very concerning and she needs help and support – not condemnation/ finger-pointing.”
“It’s not behaviour that I condone. I think that it does make a difference that she is a pharmacist, she is a respected healthcare professional who people look up to for health, care and advice. It could ruin her and the pharmacies image (and business) and the trust that the general population have in the profession.”
“This is a concern and suggests her alcohol problem is more pronounced. It is important that she is a pharmacist as she has standards to upkeep and has patients lives in her hands.”
“It seems that she has a very high tolerance for alcohol. Doesn’t matter that she is a pharmacist unless the drinking impacts the quality of her work or the reputation of the profession.”
“Looks like she’s hiding her drinking from the rest of her colleagues. It depends if in this social setting if it’s well known she’s representing the pharmacy.”
“I don’t see an issue.”
“I would be concerned about this and worried about her working as a pharmacist.”
“I think that pharmacists are in a position of responsibility and therefore she should drink in moderation. I think that drinking in this way makes the pharmacist appear unprofessional. I think that her behaviour is unacceptable.”
“It would be strange for someone to this alone and would raise alarm bells for me. Also as a professional and the person in charge she should be setting an example and ensure she is always in control.”
“Concerning behaviour from anyone. Matters that’s she’s a pharmacist especially if she’s working the next day.”
“It indicates a problem with alcohol. This is an issue for any practising pharmacist.”
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