9 Of the most common Flex work arrangements
The advancements of telecommuting technology and change in office culture has talented workers asking and expecting their employers to offer work/life balance programs aka Flex. Here are the 9 most common Flex (flexible) work arrangements:
Remote Work (aka Flexplace)
Often referred to as telecommuting/work from home, this work arrangement allows employees to handle their responsibilities at company offsite locations including home offices, hotels, airports, etc.
Compressed Work Schedule
This arrangement allows employees to complete a traditional 40-hour workweek in fewer than the typical 5 days Monday to Friday. By allotting hours in variations other than 8 per day employees are able to complete 40 hrs in less than 5 days which often leads to long weekends or days off mid-week.
Alternative Work Schedule
(aka Flextime)
A work arrangement that has start and end times vary across the workweek while maintaining the total number of hours. (typically 40 hours a week)
Job Sharing
A work arrangement where a full-time employee’s (or teams) responsibilities are shared between two or more colleagues.
Expanded Leave
This work arrangement occurs when an employee requires an extended period of time away from his/her work responsibilities while still maintaining rights as a part of the collective workforce. Such instances include, but are not limited to pursuing higher education, sabbaticals, medical care, family dilemmas, etc.
Periodic Flexibility
Ad hoc work arrangements agreed upon between employees and managers as needed.
Phased Retirement
When an employer agrees with the employee to gradually remove his/her responsibilities over a period of time. This often occurs simultaneously with an onboarding replacement who is being trained by the retiree.
Partial Retirement
When senior employees continue to work on an as-needed or part-time basis. Can often occur in parallel with phased retirement.
Misc Work and Family Programs
During certain scenarios, an employer can offer and provide family care for children and or elderly. Flexplace arrangements often provide relief to the aforementioned.