I’m a pharmacist at CVS and recently had a very serious incident at work that I’m still upset about.
A customer became angry because I would not fill their controlled substance medication early. During the confrontation, they threatened to shoot me.
I immediately contacted my manager, and she told me to call 911. Police eventually came, and we had to shut down the store for around 10 minutes. Less than an hour later, that customers wife called and asked “what time does the pharmacist leave tonight?” She did not ask what time does the pharmacy close, SHE SPECIFICALLY ASKED WHAT TIME DOES THE PHARMACIST, ME, leave tonight.
We had police officers stay outside for a few hours and then left.
Since then, I feel like management has not taken the situation seriously. My manager only asked if I was okay one time through text message, gave me a number to call for personal help, and has not followed up with me since. No one has really checked on me or the other techs who were there.
They did hire a security guard for today and tomorrow only.
I work about an hour away from home, and now I’m honestly scared for my safety going back there. I feel like the company did not handle this appropriately and did not care about the wellbeing of me or the staff.
I’m looking for advice from others who have dealt with workplace threats or pharmacy violence.
- Did your company support you afterward?
- Should I escalate this to HR or higher management?
- Can I request a transfer closer to home or time off?
- What would you do in my position?
Any advice would be appreciated.
If anything, I’d like to at least have some time off or away from this store. I am the only male pharmacist and only male that works in the entire CVS as well. He also seems to know exactly how I look like due to the way he was speaking to me. I definitely have served him before.