| Option | Definition | Benefits |
| Compressed working week or fortnight | Full-time employees who wish to work their contracted hours can do so over extended days but a shorter week/fortnight. Examples include working four long days instead of five, doing a nine day fortnight, or shortening breaks and leaving earlier. | Extended "cover" of some working days. Could mean retaining a valued member of staff |
| Staggered Hours | Staggered hours working has flexible start and finish times; it is not intended to reduce the number of working hours from normal full-time hours and does not accrue "extra" hours. The contracted hours and employee benefits remain unchanged. | Could mean retaining a valued member of staff. Could widen the recruitment base and improve loyalty. |
| Part-Time Working & Reduced Hours | The number of hours worked is determined by (a) the needs of the job, and (b) the needs of the employee. Part-time employees can increase the flexibility of worked hours (for instance if cover is only needed only at peak times). Part-time employees are entitled to the same benefits as full-time employees, pro rata to the number of hours they work | Allows cover for busy periods. Can help women returning from maternity leave. |
| Job Share | Job sharing is according to individual contract. The job sharer has a permanent contract with pro-rata pay and benefits and shares responsibility or has joint responsibility for a full-time job description. Schedules and a division of responsibilities by task and time between sharers, including a hand-over period is agreed. An essential part of job share is to ensure effective communication between both parties, and also with the line manager. | Can increase expertise available & can provide increased flexibility. Job sharers can cover for each other's absences. It can enable parents to enjoy part-time work appropriate to their skill level and ability. |
| "V" time (Voluntary Reduced Work time) | This arrangement is generally on a temporary basis, usually ranging from 5% to 50% of normal hours. An employee's trades pay for time over a given period. The reduction is for a specified period of time, usually six to twelve months. Employee benefits are maintained, pro rata where necessary. The employee is contracted to return to full-time work on a given date, unless otherwise negotiated | Can help to retain staff who are experiencing a difficult personal situation. |
| Flexitime | Employees choose start and finish times within set limits. Employers usually set "core times" (e.g. 10 - 12am and 2 - 4pm) during which employees have to be at work. Credit and debit hours can be carried beyond an accounting period (e.g. monthly), with the option of taking "flexi-leave" or TOIL. | Can spread travel to work over a longer period. The business can respond to peaks and troughs in demand. Can help with work-life balance. |
| Annualised Hours | The number of hours an employee is expected to work per annum are agreed which can be varied from week to week and month to month in accordance with the needs of the business and the needs of the employee, following mutual agreement. | People work hours that suit their personal commitments. The business can respond to seasonal demand. |
| Term-time Working | Term-time working is done on a permanent contract that continues throughout the year, including school holidays. An employee can work to either a full-time contract and take unpaid leave during school holidays, or a part-time contract, but work extra days during term-time which can be accrued and taken off during school holidays. | Helps recruit employees with school age children. |
| Home/Tele-Working (Location Independant Working) | The main place of work is the employee's home (full-time) or the employee works either completely or for a percentage of time from his/her home or somewhere other than the company base. The home/site must be checked by a H & S Officer in terms of equipment, environment, communication, connections, etc. | Relieves travel to work issues. Can increase productivity. Can allow people to work at times which suit them and the business.` |