This is an overview of some of the more common types of flexible working. Most of these can be combined e.g. a person working part time may also vary the hours they work on any given day or work some days remotely.
Flexi-time
Options that allow employees to vary their work hours or days either on a regular basis or from time to time
- Flexible start and finish times i.e. variable start and/or finish times are worked on a regular or as-needs basis
- Swapping workdays or hours with non-work hours or days
- Part-time hours
- Compressed week or fortnight e. f/t employees work longer days over a 4-day week or 9-day fortnight
- Flexible shifts – full time or part time
- Fixed shifts –full time or part time
- Combination of fixed shifts and flexible shifts - full time or part time
Flexi-leave
Options that allow employees to vary their leave patterns to create more flexibility
- Leave without pay
- Trading leave for salary
- Term-time working e. working during school terms and taking leave during holidays
- Other types of leave e.g. study leave, special leave
Flexi-place
Options that allow employees to work from locations other than their designated workplace
- Remote working e.g. working from another office or from home, regularly or from time-to-time
- Remote working – part time
- Remote working – full time
Flexi-role/career
Options that allow employees to manage their roles and careers more flexibly
- Phased return to work i.e. employees gradually increase their hours on returning from long-term leave
- Phased retirement i.e. employees gradually reduce their hours as they approach retirement
- Seasonal working i.e. to cover busy periods
- Job sharing i.e. splitting a role with another employee
- Taking career breaks