Boots has agreed to give its pharmacists a 5% pay rise from 1 November, followed by a one-off bonus payment in August 2024.
The company and Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) Union made the deal, which they believe “recognises the unique market circumstances for pharmacists within the community pharmacy sector”.
All eligible pharmacists and pharmacist store managers will be awarded a £750 pro rata non-consolidated payment in recognition of extra work they do to set up and run community services.
To qualify for the bonus, employees will need to have been working for the business continuously from 1 November 2023 until the payroll run in August 2024.
Additionally, current short notice payments provision and eligibility will continue to “recognise the commitment and flexibility of pharmacists” and extend to Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, where notice of non-planned working days is provided on the same day.
According to Boots and the PDA, the deal represents a total pay and benefits package of 6.5%.
In a joint statement, they said: “Pharmacists continue to perform a vital role in the provision of accessible healthcare in the community. It’s a role we value immensely, and we’re committed to working together to champion a fulfilling future for all our healthcare professionals.
“We thank them for their continued commitment in looking after our patients and communities.”
In November 2022, Boots pharmacists’ were awarded a 4.5% pay.
Other financial benefits offered by the company include enhanced maternity paternity and adoption pay, £100 gift cards for new parents, a retirement savings plan, discretionary annual bonus for eligible staff and a benevolent fund. It also provides a number of employee and corporate discounts, as well as childcare savings.
