Most employee pharmacists who experience workplace pressures say they have not received support from their employers and the figure continues to climb, the C+D Salary Survey 2012 has found.

Eighty-seven per cent of community pharmacist branch managers and non-manager pharmacists felt unsupported by their employers, a rise of 3 percentage points on 2011.

Eighty-seven per cent of community pharmacist branch managers and non-manager pharmacists felt unsupported by their employers	More from the C+D Salary Survey ‘Disillusioned' pharmacists consider leaving sector Three quarters of locums fear for their future Rising stress levels damage patient care
	The average employee pharmacist dispenses about 390 prescriptions a day, up 50 on last year, according to the survey. However, more than 80 per cent of 750 employee pharmacists answering the question said employers had made no investment in staffing or technology to help cope with rising volumes.

"I have spoken to several people in head office," said one branch manager. "They make excuses and basically say asking for help and expecting more for my efforts is something they wouldn't expect."

Pharmacist Support charity manager Diane Leicester told C+D that for many pharmacists "reaching out to the employer isn't always the first port of call".

"Lots of people don't want to let their employer know they've got any issues because they are worried about their jobs and there are a lot more pharmacists ready to move into their position."

However the majority of pharmacy employers felt they provided support. Nearly two thirds of the 39 contractors who answered the question said they had provided internal support, with 31 per cent having signposted staff to external sources of support.

For more results, comment and news from the Salary Survey 2012 as well as tools including a salary calculator, wheel of blame, interactive map and employed/locum comparison calculator and much more click here