An investigation into the occupational stress that Irish Community Pharmacy Employees’ are experiencing and the impact that this has on the organisation’s overall performance

Quigley, Pauline (2017) An investigation into the occupational stress that Irish Community Pharmacy Employees’ are experiencing and the impact that this has on the organisation’s overall performance. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Retail pharmacies face many challenges in today’s increasingly competitive environment. Over the last five years a series of environmental changes (driven by the government’s austerity programme) have caused upheaval in the Irish Community pharmacy sector – the impact of the recession, the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) legislation which followed resulting in reduced reimbursement payments , reference pricing and cuts to dispensing fees all taking effect. In a market that is extremely competitive with international supermarket chains opening in-store pharmacies, the trend of sourcing medicines online and out of town healthcare centres opening, pharmacies are having to concentrate on cost saving initiatives (Power, 2012). The Irish Pharmacy Union’s 2015 Report states that 30% of pharmacies reported enacting salary cost-saving measures, either through reductions in hours or in rates of pay.

The aim of this research is to identify the factors that contribute to the occupational stress experienced by front of shop workers in an Irish retail pharmacy group. These employees were the focus of the study as research shows that where salary costsaving measures are made, the focus is on this group of staff, rather than qualified staff.

This study will examine the factors that contribute to the occupational stress experienced by front of shop workers in an Irish retail pharmacy group. It will recommend the appropriate stress management techniques and intervention strategies that can be implemented to assist employees in managing their stress levels.

A quantitive approach was taken by using an established COPSOQ Questionnaire. The results show that certain factors are very influential at contributing to the stress levels of these employees. The study will also discuss the impact of occupational stress on the employees and the organisation. The appropriate occupational stress management strategies are then recommended for use within this organisation.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	R Medicine > Healthcare Industry H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Performance Management H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > Industrial Psychology > Workplace Stress
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Arts in Human Resource Management
Depositing User:	Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín
Date Deposited:	14 Nov 2017 15:23
Last Modified:	14 Nov 2017 15:25
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/2824

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