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Education
What recourse is there for bullied students?
From Mr M. E. Q. James, FRPharmS
In browsing pharmacy internet message boards I have encountered some
disturbing cases concerning preregistration students who feel badly treated
or bullied.
We all complain every so often, but these young men and women are in
a peculiarly vulnerable position and it seems that when they seek the
advice of the Society the norm is to accept the word of the tutor and,
apparently, to dismiss the concerns of the student.
I do not wish to encourage people to complain about conditions at the
drop of a hat, as I have been a tutor and can appreciate how situations
can deteriorate, especially when only one or two people are involved.
I wonder what the process is when the human relationship between tutor
and trainee has irretrievably broken down. It cannot surely be accepted
as satisfactory that the student simply fails the year and cannot take
the examination for a further 12 months, if at all, especially where
only one other person is involved, as would be the case in a small organisation.
I have been a tutor in community pharmacy and, looking back, see how
easy it would be for a student not to fit in. I have also assisted with
tutoring in hospital and recall the gratitude of some students when they
came to me, and the relief with which others left. The “some” included
students who were regarded elsewhere as less than promising; the “others”,
students whom I felt would be good pharmacists but where other supervisors
disagreed.
To whom can students or tutors turn when such a breakdown occurs? In
the past, I have recommended contacting the local branch secretary. Before
I am hoist with my own petard and someone contacts me, what is the process
in such case?
Miall E. James
Honorary Secretary
Colchester Branch, Royal Pharmaceutical Society
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JEREMY HOLMES, Chief Executive and Registrar, Royal
Pharmaceutical Society, replies: The Society’s
preregistration scheme sets out the standards for the 52-week preregistration
training period. The performance standards for preregistration trainees
are set out in a workbook and state the outcomes that must be met at
the point of registration. There are also standards for tutors and training
premises. A tutor information book sets out the responsibilities of
a tutor. The tutor is responsible for the delivery of training and assessments
that provide the assurance that standards have been met. This training
relationship is governed by a learning contract.
The Society plays no part in placing students; students apply for a preregistration
post with an employer. Where the employer is not an independent owner, a tutor
is assigned by the employer and the Society is notified. The Society has no formal
contract with employers or tutors to provide training. The preregistration employment
relationship is governed by the terms and conditions of the employment contract.
Although the Society has no legal obligation in this area, we encourage trainees,
tutors and employers to follow best employment practice in resolving issues locally.
All employers owe a duty of care to their employees to protect them from bullying.
When bullying emerges the Society would expect the employers to have in place
formal grievance procedures to deal with this — bullying is not something
that should be tolerated. The Society’s Code of Ethics makes it clear that
all registrants whether they be tutors or employers should demonstrate respect
for the dignity, views and rights of colleagues. We expect this to be applied
to the tutor/trainee relationship; trainees sign up to this through the learning
contract.
The Society is undertaking a number of initiatives in relation to the operation
of the preregistration scheme. We recognise that tutors are an important asset
and crucial in the delivery of training. We are currently developing tutor support
through web-based guidance and training in workplace assessment skills. We also
recognise the need to support trainees by developing guidance on addressing training
issues in the workplace. This guidance is to be included in the 2008/09 trainee
workbook.
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The
Pharmaceutical Journal