Conditions Placed on Mentor Pharmacist for Inappropriate and Threatening Conduct Toward Trainee Dispenser
Date of Decision: May 23, 2019
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- Inappropriate physical and verbal conduct towards a colleague (Person 9) over an extended period while acting as her mentor.
- Comments of a sexual and threatening nature, including suggestions of kidnapping and aggressive behavior.
- Repeated boundary violations including physical contact, suggestive gestures, and intimidation.
- Failure to maintain appropriate professional conduct and respect within the pharmacy workplace.
Outcome: Conditions on registration for 12 months
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 2 – Must work in partnership with others: Demonstrate effective team working and adapt communication for effective partnership.
- Standard 6 – Must behave in a professional manner: Maintain appropriate personal and professional boundaries.
- Standard 9 – Must demonstrate leadership: Lead by example and support the training and development of team members.
Case Summary
Allegations
This case concerns a pharmacist (the registrant) who faced multiple allegations of inappropriate behavior towards a female colleague (Person 9) while employed between February 2016 and March 2017. The registrant, serving as Person 9’s mentor, engaged in conduct that was described as intimidating, unprofessional, and in some cases, overtly threatening and sexual in nature. The allegations included inappropriate physical contact (e.g., putting an arm around her shoulder, pulling her hair, touching her lower back), inappropriate and threatening comments (e.g., threats of kidnapping involving “a big black van with four big men”), and suggestive behaviors (e.g., asking her to sit on his knee, placing a pen between the buttons of her tunic).
The panel found that this behavior occurred over a protracted period and created a workplace environment that was emotionally and psychologically distressing for Person 9, leading her to consider leaving a job she otherwise enjoyed.
Findings
The Fitness to Practise Committee considered testimony from several witnesses, including Person 9, colleagues, and the registrant. They found many of the allegations to be credible and corroborated by consistent testimony. Although the registrant admitted to a limited subset of the allegations, he denied the majority.
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- Full allegations considered by the GPhC
- Panel findings and reasoning
- Outcome of the investigation
- Sanctions considered and imposed on the Pharmacist
- Key professional learning points
Original Case Document
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The original determination transcript is available to registered users.
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- Full hearing transcript
- Detailed findings of fact
- Sanction reasoning
- Details of the pharmacy professionals involved