Enduring recognition of 'Mēness aptieka' as the best place to work

As recognition of its status as a safe and stable workplace, “Mēness aptieka” has been awarded the international Best Places To Work certificate for the third time. A total of eight aspects of the company’s working environment were examined, assessing employee satisfaction with management, HR, values, pay and other benefits. Relationships with colleagues, the overall atmosphere of the company, commitment, and a good work-life balance were all considered important. The impact of the company on social developments was particularly valued.

 

“We are particularly proud and honoured to be internationally recognised as the Best Place to Work for the third year running. This enduring recognition is a testament to our commitment to creating a positive, supportive and comfortable environment for both our employees and customers, while remaining steadfast in our mission to make the journey to better health easier and faster for the people of Latvia. Our core values of responsibility, care and knowledge are deeply rooted in everything we do. We will continue to strive to reach new standards in the industry and to improve the workplace where our employees can thrive. It is their passion, dedication, commitment and teamwork that make this workplace the best it can be”, says Vilma Druliene, Chair of the Management Board of “Mēness aptieka”.

“It is important for us in “Mēness aptieka” to be the best place to work because we love and value our employees, and our employees love their profession and work with a strong sense of purpose. We can now evaluate our three-year performance and it shows sustained employee engagement as well as solid performance in the eight areas listed by the international survey. For the company as a whole and for the HR department, this is a testament to the fact that we choose and implement processes that make our employees feel good, while ensuring that pharmacy services are available throughout the country. This moment of recognition is valuable for each of us, because it encourages us to reflect on what it means to work at “Mēness aptieka” and how many significant advantages this workplace provides, something we may not even notice in our daily rush”, says Baiba Pedraudze, the company’s HR Director, about the international recognition.

The highest ranked, with 94%, were the growth opportunities, the opportunities for both office and pharmacy staff to learn and take on new roles. For example, a pharmacist assistant can become a pharmacist after studies and then grow into a pharmacy manager or a regional manager. From the position of a regional manager, there are new opportunities for work in the office. Diversity within the company is highly evaluated (89%) by employees. 88% appreciated that employees’ suggestions and ideas are respected, the same number stated that managers’ actions are always ethical. 88% of employees said they do their best to meet the expectations of their colleagues and customers. 86% appreciated the wide range of continuing training opportunities. The company decisions are made using a sustainable, socially responsible and environmentally friendly approach – 83% confirmed this.

“Workers feel committed to the company and praise such aspects as stability, good attitude towards employees, being a part of a professional team, high standards, career opportunities, having their opinion heard, receiving holiday gifts for employees and their children, having many job opportunities in Latvia, receiving positive feedback from customers, etc. Of the four essential aspects of HRM, a culture of employee engagement plays a significant role in the company performance. The environment we create encourages productivity, attaining new achievements, setting clear and understandable goals. Employees are respected and their opinions matter. They appreciate the fact that the work environment is improving, that we are modernising not only the customer service areas in the pharmacies, but also the lounge and office areas for employees. Over the previous year, 36 pharmacy staff have been conducting their daily work in refurbished, improved pharmacies with renovated staff lounges. With the well-being of our employees in mind, we arrange activities that also benefit their families. Promoting an active lifestyle, we pay for participation in the trail run series “Stirnu buks” and the annual Rimi Riga Marathon. Company benefits support the employees’ families in good and bad times. We are indeed not only the best workplace, but also the most cordial, pleasant and family-friendly”, Baiba Pedraudze comments on the results of the evaluation. 

The company management celebrated receiving the Best Place To Work certificate together with pharmacists whose professional achievements have not only been recognised within the company, but have also been highly appreciated by customers and honoured with industry awards.

“I have been a pharmacist for more than 30 years. As a resident of Ķekava, I have gotten to know our customers well during my 12 years of work at Ķekava “Mēness aptieka”. It’s a lot of responsibility, you have to work with a long-term view. The customers are mainly local people, I often meet them on the streets, sometimes they stop and ask for a little advice. I greet every customer in the pharmacy with a smile! We are happy that the pharmacy was renovated a year ago, everything has been taken care of, it is a bright and tidy environment and it is a pleasure for us to work and for customers to come in. If there is a problem, a gloomy thought, coming to our pharmacy makes you feel happier, lifts you up, customers recover faster after talking and consulting a pharmacist, they feel better and choose to come back for help as soon as they need it. I have mentored seven pharmacy students during their internship. They are now all working in “Mēness aptieka” pharmacies. One of my colleagues started as a helper at the pharmacy, but later, highly motivated, with the support of the pharmacy team and the company, she trained as a pharmacist assistant and is now grateful for this job opportunity”, says Jolanta Bernupe, manager of “Mēness aptieka” in Ķekava, a pharmacist who has received a certificate of appreciation from the Ministry of Health for her contribution to the health of the local community.

“I have been working as a pharmacist in Rēzekne for almost 50 years. During this time I have gotten to know several generations of local families, and I have also introduced young pharmacists to the work. Often, when customers come to consult us, if I have time, I ask how the parents and children of the customers I know are doing. In their daily lives people often need other products besides medicines like cosmetics. Even though my advanced age allows me to retire, I still come to work at the pharmacy. My point is that it is good to work, as long as you work well! The pharmacy is becoming more and more modern, I have learnt how to use a computer, I regularly take part in additional training courses organised by the pharmacy, now mainly held remotely, which is very good for those of us who live far from Riga. If you like being among people and talking to them, have a desire to hold a stable job and have an interest in pharmaceutics, I would definitely recommend training to become a pharmacist!” says Irmīna Karacejeva, a pharmacist at “Mēness aptieka” from Rēzekne, who recently received a certificate of appreciation from the Ministry of Health for her contribution to the industry.

“A significant part of my 16 years of work have been spent at “Mēness aptieka” located in the “Mols” shopping centre. I really appreciate that the workplace is close to home, I don’t have to waste time travelling to work, I can get to my pharmacy from home in 10-15 minutes. I am happy being able to meet various needs of our customers. We, the pharmacists, have to be prepared for everything, everyone needs a pleasant and respectful conversation! Some of the people who come in are regular customers whom I already know, who visit our pharmacy frequently. We are a small and friendly team, the atmosphere is casual, we can always ask each other for advice and help if needed. If necessary, within reason, we can switch our shifts – sometimes a colleague needs this, other times I might need it. I remember with a smile the last office party where I had a really good time with my colleagues, such moments together are important”, says Helmuts Kupšis, pharmacist assistant at “Mēness aptieka” 177, who received the highest customer service quality scores in the customer survey. 

 

In the picture from right to left: Ieva Virza, pharmacist, manager of “Mēness aptieka”, recognized as Pharmacist of the Year 2022 in the survey conducted by the Latvian Medical Association; Viktorija Gulbe, marketing and sustainability manager of “Mēness aptieka”; Gunita Petrovica, pharmacist, manager of Jaunā Torņakalna “Mēness aptieka”, who received a certificate of appreciation from the Ministry of Health for her contribution to the industry; Baiba Pedraudze, HR Director of “Mēness aptieka”; Vilma Druliene, Chair of the Management Board of “Mēness aptieka”; Jeļena Petrišina, Member of the Management Board of “Mēness aptieka”, Pharmacist of the Year 2023; Irmīna Karacejeva, manager of “Mēness aptieka” in Rēzekne, who received a certificate of appreciation from the Ministry of Health for her contribution to the industry; Jolanta Bernupe, pharmacist, manager of "Mēness aptieka" in Ķekava, who received a certificate of appreciation from the Ministry of Health for her contribution to the health of the local community; Helmuts Kupšis, pharmacist assistant from “Mēness aptieka” 177, who received the highest customer service quality scores in the customer survey.

“Mēness aptieka” is the only pharmaceutical company in Latvia to have been awarded the international Best Places To Work certificate, ranking 23rd overall in Europe this year. Best Places To Work is one of the most popular programmes in Europe among employers, including pharmaceutical companies, and provides an objective assessment of a company’s work environment. Participation in the programme is voluntary and it is up to the company to apply to be assessed. By achieving the required score for international certification, the company qualifies for the Best Place To Work status.