Urgent care facilities typically have less than a 2 hour wait time in every place in the US I've been, and cost about $0-60 per visit depending on insurance.
Scheduling is not an issue, and there is no need to waste an ED's time on such things. Some urgent care spots specifically have a "doctors note" service.
It doesn't make the policy any better (I've worked such jobs), but I don't think there is a need to exaggerate how the process works in real life.
When I'm sick, but not dying, the last thing I want to do is haul myself out to an urgent care unnecessarily to spend money and time, and be in the presence of other sick people. This is detrimental to getting better as soon as possible. Thankfully my employer trusts me, and I don't have to go running to an urgent care every time I get a cold (which they can do nothing about anyway).
Scheduling is not an issue, and there is no need to waste an ED's time on such things. Some urgent care spots specifically have a "doctors note" service.
It doesn't make the policy any better (I've worked such jobs), but I don't think there is a need to exaggerate how the process works in real life.