There are many possibilities in alternative work schedules. Common types include part-time, flextime, compressed workweeks, telecommuting and job sharing.
- Part-time workers regularly work less than a full-time schedule. Part-time schedules may include working only a few days a week or working fewer hours five days a week.
- Flextime is when employers have an expectation that employees work a standard amount of hours a week or day, but allow flexibility in their starting and ending times. Some employees, due to family or personal obligations or preferences, work very early in the morning and leave earlier in the afternoon. Other flextime employees may prefer or need to start later in the day and work into the evening.
- Compressed workweeks allow employees to work a standard number of work hours over less than a five-day period in one week or a 10-day period in two weeks. The most common compressed workweek schedule is probably 4/10s (10 hours a day for four days a week). Many employers allow exempt employees to work 9/9s biweekly. This means the employee regularly works 9 hours a day with one day off every other week. The 9/9 schedule usually is not preferable for nonexempt workers due to the concern of overtime pay every other week. In addition, in the summertime it is a fairly common practice for some employers to close early on Fridays, and therefore employees are scheduled to work 9-hour days Monday through Thursday and only a half-day on Friday.
- Telecommuting is when employees are able to perform work from a remote location (usually a home office) rather than commuting into the company facility. It is common for employers to offer telecommuting on a part-time or periodic basis (e.g., one or two days a week or month).
- Job sharing is the practice of two different employees performing the tasks of one full-time position. A full-time position filled by two employees that have complimentary part-time work schedules can ensure there is always coverage during normal work hours.
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