Alternative work schedules
Alternative work schedules allow employees to work a schedule other than the traditional 8am-5pm Monday-Friday schedule.
- Types: This could look like flextime, when employees may flex their work hours within a day, such as working 7:30-4, or 9-5:30. Employers may use this scheduling for staggered shifts to ensure that staff coverage needs are met with these varying schedules. Alternatively, some employees may opt for a compressed work week, working fewer but longer days, such as four 10-hour days per week, or 9-hour days with one day off every two weeks.
- Benefits: Alternative work schedules could provide greater work-life balance for employees, particularly those who may have childcare responsibilities, are transit-reliant and must schedule around bus arrival times, or have other needs. Alternative work schedules also reduce traffic congestion during peak hour commute times, which reduces vehicle idle time to improve traffic and air quality. For job positions where teleworking is not an option, alternative work schedules are a great way to offer more flexibility to increase employee recruitment and retention.
- Potential challenges: Working longer days may be tiring to an employee and slow their productivity at the end of a long day, and may result in reduced staff coverage, for example, on Fridays. Additionally, alternative work schedules could offer challenges with scheduling meetings.
