Glossary

Small Business Glossary and Definitions

What are Flexible Work Arrangements?

Flexible Work Arrangement—also known as flexible work hours or flextime--is an employee benefit that an employer may offer to enhance employee’s work-life balance. Typically, an employer requires an employee to be at work for a designated portion of the day or week, and employees can adjust their schedules outside that period by starting and ending work earlier or later than the typical work day.

Employees can use flexible work arrangements to ease commute time, accommodate daycare schedules or continuing education attendance, or other personal matters that will improve work-life balance. Work-from-home periods can also be regarded as a flexible working arrangement.

Whether flexible work arrangements are available are at an employer’s policy discretion and are not required by law. An employer can still require that the employee work certain specific times and a minimum number of hours per week.