Flexible Work Schedule: Definition and Examples

Meaning 1：adjustable work hours (Flexible work schedule)

Flexible work schedule 🔊

/ˈflɛksəbəl wɜːrk ˈʃɛdjuːl/

n.phr.

A work arrangement that does not have fixed 9-to-5 hours, allowing employees to adjust their start and end times.

Flexible work schedule: person working in cafe with clock showing 10 AM

adjustable work hours 🔊

➕

/əˈdʒʌstəbəl wɜːrk ˈaʊərz/

n.phr.

A working arrangement that allows employees to choose their start and end times within certain limits, not fixed to a traditional 9-to-5 schedule.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'flectere' (to bend) + '-ible' (able), Old English 'weorc', Latin 'schedula' (small leaf).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a rubber band stretching to fit different times of day - flexible hours adapt to your personal schedule.

📖 Example

My company offers a flexible work schedule, so I can start my day earlier to pick up my kids from school in the afternoon. 🔊 My company offers a flexible work schedule, so I can start my day earlier to pick up my kids from school in the afternoon.

🔗 Collocations

flexible schedule – A schedule that allows variation in working hours

remote work arrangement – A work setup where employees are not required to be in the office

adjustable hours – Working hours that can be changed by the employee

🔄 Synonyms

flextime (n.) – A system of working flexible hours, typically allowing employees to choose their start and finish times.

remote work (n.) – Work done from a location other than a central office, often enabled by flexible scheduling.

compressed workweek (n.) – An arrangement where employees work longer hours on fewer days, such as four ten-hour days.

🚫 Antonyms

fixed schedule (n.) – A work schedule with set start and end times that cannot be changed.

rigid working hours (n.phr.) – Strictly defined hours that must be followed without flexibility.

9-to-5 job (n.phr.) – A traditional job with fixed hours from 9 AM to 5 PM.

🌱 Derivatives

flexibility (n.) – The quality of being able to adapt or change easily.

scheduling (n.) – The process of arranging times for events or tasks.

flex (v./n.) – To bend or adjust (informal abbreviation of flexible).

📖 Cultural Story

Gained prominence in the tech industry during the 1990s as companies adopted remote work, reflecting a shift towards work-life balance.