Types of Flexible Working Explained: Complete Guide

Flexible working comes in many forms. Understanding each type helps employees choose what works for them and helps employers assess requests properly.

1. Part-Time Working

What It Is

Working fewer hours than full-time (typically less than 35 hours per week).

Common Patterns

• 3 days per week instead of 5
• 4 days per week
• Mornings only (e.g., 9am-1pm, 5 days)
• 20-30 hours per week on various patterns

How It Works

Hours: Reduced from full-time Pay: Pro-rata (proportional to hours worked) Example: Full-time is £30,000/year (37.5 hrs). 22.5 hrs/week (3 days) = £18,000/year

Who It Suits

• Parents managing childcare
• Carers with caring responsibilities
• People with health conditions
• Those phasing into retirement
• Anyone wanting better work-life balance

Employer Considerations

• How to cover remaining hours/days
• Team coordination across different attendance patterns
• Pro-rata benefits and holiday
• Maintaining knowledge continuity

2. Compressed Hours

What It Is

Working full-time hours in fewer days.

Common Patterns

• 4 × 9.5-hour days = 38 hours (instead of 5 × 7.5 hours)
• 9-day fortnight (80 hours over 9 days instead of 10)
• 4.5 days (4 full days + half day Friday)

How It Works

Hours: Same total as full-time Pay: Same as full-time (not reduced) Days: Fewer working days, longer hours each day

Example:

• Standard: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm (37.5 hours)
• Compressed: Mon-Thu, 8am-6pm (40 hours), Fri off

Benefits

• Extra day off each week/fortnight
• Reduced commuting costs
• Better work-life balance

Challenges

• Long working days (fatigue)
• Less flexibility within each day
• Childcare for longer days
• Health and safety (Working Time Regulations - max 48 hours/week)

Who It Suits

• People wanting a 3-day weekend
• Long commuters
• Those with Friday activities/commitments

3. Flexitime

What It Is

Flexible start and finish times within agreed boundaries.

How It Works

Core hours: Fixed period everyone must work (e.g., 10am-3pm) Flexible bands: Can start 7am-10am, finish 3pm-7pm Total hours: Still meet weekly/monthly requirement (e.g., 37.5 hours)

Common Arrangements

• Start anytime 7-10am, finish 3-7pm
• Accumulate extra hours to take time off (e.g., "flexi days")
• Carry surplus/deficit hours month to month (with limits)

Benefits

• Avoid rush hour
• Accommodate personal appointments
• Manage energy levels (early birds vs night owls)
• Control over schedule

Employer Requirements

• System to track hours
• Clear rules (core hours, bandwidth, carry-over limits)
• Fair access across team

Who It Suits

• Anyone wanting schedule control
• Those with fluctuating energy/health
• People with regular commitments (school run, caring)

4. Job Share

What It Is

Two people share one full-time role, each working part-time.

Common Patterns

• Each person works 2.5 days/week
• One works Mon-Wed morning, other Wed afternoon-Fri
• Split by responsibility (each owns different tasks)

How It Works

Two separate employment contracts (each is part-time) Share responsibilities of one role Handover essential - usually overlap period (e.g., Wednesday)

Benefits

• Retains experienced staff
• Provides cover (when one is absent, other knows the role)
• Combines different skills/perspectives
• Continuity (if one leaves, other remains)

Challenges

• Finding compatible job share partner
• Communication and handover
• Decision-making coordination
• May complicate line management

Who It Suits

• Senior roles wanting to go part-time
• Roles needing continuous cover
• People wanting reduced hours with responsibility

5. Working from Home (Remote Working)

What It Is

Working from home full-time instead of commuting to office.

How It Works

Location: Home (or other remote location) Hours: Usually same as office-based Attendance: No office attendance (or very occasional)

Requirements

• Home workspace
• Internet connection
• Equipment (laptop, monitor, etc.)
• Self-discipline

Benefits

• No commute (time and cost saved)
• Flexible home environment
• Reduced distractions (for some)
• Better for deep work

Challenges

• Isolation and loneliness
• Harder to collaborate
• Work-life boundary blur
• Home distractions
• Requires good communication

Who It Suits

• Roles that are desk-based/digital
• Self-motivated individuals
• Those with long commutes
• People needing quiet focus time

6. Hybrid Working

What It Is

Splitting time between office and home.

Common Patterns

• 2 days office, 3 days home (most common)
• 3 days office, 2 days home
• Flexible choice (decide week by week)
• Monday and Friday home, Tue-Thu office

How It Works

Mix of office and home working Often team coordinates to be in office same days "Anchor days" - fixed office days for team meetings

Benefits

• Balance of collaboration and focus
• Some commute savings
• Social connection maintained
• Flexibility

Current Reality

Post-pandemic norm in many sectors. Became standard for knowledge workers.

Who It Suits

• Roles needing mix of teamwork and independent work
• Those wanting some office interaction but not daily commute

7. Staggered Hours

What It Is

Different start and finish times to standard office hours.

Examples

• Start 7am, finish 3pm (instead of 9-5)
• Start 11am, finish 7pm
• Start 8am, finish 4pm

How It Works

Same total hours as standard Different timing to suit personal needs May cover extended service hours

Benefits

• Avoid rush hour
• Accommodate school run
• Manage energy levels (early start for morning people)
• Extend team coverage hours

Who It Suits

• Parents doing school drop-off/pick-up
• Long commuters
• Early birds or night owls

8. Annualized Hours

What It Is

Contracted for total annual hours with flexible distribution.

How It Works

Example: 1,950 hours per year Busy periods: Work more hours Quiet periods: Work fewer hours Average out over the year

Benefits

• Matches seasonal business needs
• Predictable annual hours for employee
• Flexibility for both parties

Common In

• Seasonal businesses
• Hospitality
• Retail (busy Christmas, quiet January)
• Education support roles

9. Term-Time Working

What It Is

Working only during school term times (approximately 39 weeks per year).

How It Works

Work: School term weeks (usually 39 weeks) Off: School holidays (13 weeks) Pay: Options - paid only for weeks worked, or salary spread across full year

Who It Suits

Parents wanting to be home during school holidays.

Challenges for Employers

• Role must not need year-round cover
• Arrange cover during school holidays
• Knowledge gaps during absence

10. Shift Swapping

What It Is

Flexibility to swap shifts with colleagues.

How It Works

• Rotas published in advance
• Employees arrange swaps between themselves
• Manager approves swaps
• System to manage requests

Benefits

• Flexibility within shift-work
• Accommodates personal needs
• Employees help each other

Common In

• Healthcare
• Retail
• Hospitality
• Emergency services

Less Common Types

Phased Retirement

Gradually reducing hours approaching retirement age.

V-Time Working

Voluntary reduced hours for a set period (e.g., sabbatical but part-time).

Zero Hours (Flexible)

Hours vary week to week based on business needs and worker availability.

On-Call Working

Being available to work when called, with flexibility between calls.

Choosing the Right Type

Consider Your Needs

• Do you need fewer hours or just different timing?
• Full-time pay essential or can you afford reduced income?
• Need complete days off or flexible within days?
• Want predictability or variability?

Consider Your Role

• Can work be done from home?
• Does role need office presence?
• Is continuity essential (job share may work)?
• Seasonal patterns (annualized hours)?

Consider Your Employer

• What's their culture around flexible working?
• What have others successfully requested?
• What does the business need?

Combining Types

You can request multiple types together:

Example 1: Part-time + Remote

• 3 days/week, all from home

Example 2: Compressed Hours + Hybrid

• 4 long days/week, 2 in office, 2 at home

Example 3: Part-time + Flexitime

• 25 hours/week with flexible start/finish times

Key Takeaways

• Many types of flexible working available
• Part-time = fewer hours, pro-rata pay
• Compressed = same hours, fewer days
• Flexitime = flexible start/finish times
• Job share = two people share one role
• Remote = work from home full-time
• Hybrid = mix of office and home (now mainstream)
• Can combine multiple types in one request

Understanding the different types helps you choose what works for your circumstances and articulate your request clearly.