Lot of healthcare services have extended hours because they are aware that their customers can’t take time out during the workday. Why would that be a surprise?
> Lot of healthcare services have extended hours [..]
Umm, OK. Not everywhere, apparently, hence my question.
> Why would that be a surprise?
For reference:
My dentist works a four day week (Monday-Thursday).
My local doctor's practice is open a whopping 23 hours per week - four mornings plus a handful of late afternoon sessions. Less than handy if you or your relatives are taken ill between noon on Friday and Monday morning.
Most folks I work with don't take PTO for short appts like that. Usually they just put it on the calendar and communicate it to the team. Or they shift the schedule for the day to start later and work later to fit in a morning appt. That said, the dentist near me is open til 7pm so after work dentistry seems to be an option too.
A lot of people just straight up don't go. If you even get dental insurance, and you need more than a routine cleaning, it barely covers it. Especially if you don't get a good plan.
Tons of hourly jobs make you work a weekend shift as well so you end up with a weekday off that you have to use for that kind of thing.
I'm sure workplaces differ but, over decades, I've never felt it was the norm to formally take time off for a 2-3 hour appointment/errand for a dentist or anything else.
