A system of scheduled days off

This article describes a system of Scheduled Days Off (SDO) that was implemented on a trial basis for one year by the Physiotherapy Section of Foothills Provincial General Hospital in Calgary, Alberta. Development of the SDO system was an attempt by the Physiotherapy Section to improve the quality of working life without a negative impact on productivity or quality of care. Each full-time physiotherapist extended work hours by 15 minutes per day and received an SDO following 30 working days. A productivity analysis of weighted units per paid hour and patient attendances per paid hour demonstrated an increase in productivity following implementation of the system. Work time used for personal appointments, sick time and staff satisfaction were evaluated and showed positive changes during the trial period.