Flexible working gives employees a say in when, where or how many hours they work, within limits that keep the business running. The specific options a company offers, such as remote work, flextime or compressed weeks, are called flexible work arrangements.
Flexible working is an alternative to the standard nine-to-five, office-bound model. It helps people balance work with personal responsibilities, which supports job satisfaction, well-being and retention, and lets employers recruit from a wider talent pool.
Types of flexible work arrangements
| Arrangement | How it works |
|---|---|
| Remote work (telecommuting) | Working from home or another location for some or all of the week |
| Flextime (flexi-time) | Choosing start and finish times, often around fixed core hours |
| Compressed workweek | Full-time hours in fewer days, for example four ten-hour days |
| Staggered hours | Different start and finish times across the team |
| Part-time work | Fewer hours than a full-time schedule |
| Job sharing | Two people split the duties and hours of one full-time role |
Benefits of flexible working
For employees: better work-life balance, shorter or no commutes, more autonomy and less stress, which helps prevent burnout.
For employers: higher retention and job satisfaction, a more attractive offer in competitive hiring markets, access to a larger and more diverse talent pool, and possible savings on office space and resources. Motivated, trusted employees are often more productive.
Challenges
Not every job fits. Roles that require physical presence or hands-on operations may allow only limited flexibility, for example in scheduling rather than location.
Collaboration. Teams spread across locations and hours need deliberate communication habits and shared core time.
Fairness. Arrangements should be offered on consistent criteria so that some groups do not get flexibility while others are left out.
Managing performance. Managers need to judge results rather than hours seen at a desk.
How to implement flexible working
Write a clear policy listing the available options, eligibility criteria and how employees request them.
Set guidelines for managers on approving requests and running flexible teams. A telecommuting policy covers the specifics of remote work.
Provide the technology and communication channels remote and flexible work depend on.
Train managers to lead by outcomes and keep team cohesion across distance.
Review regularly with employees and managers, and adjust what is not working for the business or for people.
How it works in Skailer
In Skailer, each employee's work pattern and FTE are on their employee record: on a four-day week, a week off deducts four days, and a 0.5 FTE employee earns half the leave. Employees clock in and out, and timesheets compare worked time with planned time. See time off and attendance tracking.
What types of flexible work arrangements exist?
The most common are remote work (telecommuting), flextime, compressed workweeks, staggered hours, part-time work and job sharing. Each gives a different degree of flexibility and can be matched to the role.
How do flexible work arrangements benefit employers?
They improve retention and job satisfaction, help attract a larger and more diverse talent pool and can reduce office and operating costs.
Can all jobs support flexible work arrangements?
No. Jobs that require physical presence or hands-on operations may not allow remote work, though they can sometimes offer flexibility in scheduling. Feasibility depends on the industry and the responsibilities of the role.
How can an organization implement flexible working?
With a clear policy on options, eligibility and how to request them; technology that supports remote work; training for managers on leading flexible teams; and regular feedback to check the arrangements work for both the business and employees.
Can flexible working affect team collaboration?
It can if it is left unmanaged. Shared core hours, agreed communication channels and regular team check-ins keep collaboration strong when people work at different times or places.