Work sampling: a tool in management.

"Work sampling" was used to determine the productivity of the employees of a small occupational therapy department and the nature and extent of the activities in which they were involved. Twelve general categories of activities were identified--peak loads occurred on Wednesday each week between 9:10 to 11:30 a.m., and daily between 1:40 to 3:20 p.m. It was found that the therapists spent more of their working hours productively compared to an aide's productive time. "Work sampling" is a convenient and inexpensive technique that may be used by small or large departments to justify staff size, hours of work, and assignments on the basis of activities and productivity.