National Pharmacies lifts staff

SOUTH Australia’s National Pharmacies is launching a new employee wellbeing policy that includes 10 days’ paid leave a year for staff who have experienced family or domestic violence.

This is a significant improvement on the five days’ unpaid domestic violence leave allowed for under the Pharmacy Industry Award.

National Pharmacies MD Tony Wojciechowski said: “At National Pharmacies we pride ourselves on providing the best and safest possible workplace for our people.

“Australian Bureau of Statistics data tell us that one in six women experiences physical violence from a partner or ex-partner. We know that men are also impacted so our policy applies to all permanent employees,” he added.

National Pharmacies has an 83% female workforce and 69% of its management are female.

“As an employer in a predominantly female industry, we have an added responsibility to provide this kind of assurance and offer maximum support to employees when they most need it. Domestic violence does not discriminate on the basis of occupation,” Wojciechowski said.

The new program includes a Wellbeing intranet site to inform, inspire and engage, a network of Wellbeing Champions at every outlet as well as cross-organisation connection through events, team challenges and social media.

In addition the program will create a Wellbeing Fair for staff, Wellbeing day leave (two days per year) and allow the purchase of additional annual leave.

“Organisations that care about the wellbeing of their employees build a sustainable and successful culture where people are productive and engaged in their work,” Wojciechowski said.

“It’s all about good business, for our staff and for our members.”