What’s Realistic?
Dr. Arnold doesn’t discourage staff from socializing with one another because it enhances the collaborative environment. Because there are some young mothers on staff, she understands that they will periodically need to field texts and phone calls regarding childcare.
Overtime is rarely used. “If it is reoccurring, we ask employees how they can be more productive [with] their time or if the physician can be more effective with their scheduling,” Dr. Arnold says.
“Staff are invested in the environment and are happy to be here,” she concludes. “We strive to create an environment [in which] employees tend to self-police and would feel bad if they knowingly stole time from the practice. If you don’t create a workplace [in which] people feel engaged, they will start to do things that are not work related, and that’s when they will waste time.”
Karen Appold is a medical writer in Pennsylvania.
