What are flexible working hours?
Flexible working hours are arrangements where employees work outside the traditional 9-to-5 schedule. Instead of fixed start and finish times, staff may choose when they work, within agreed limits.
Common flexible working arrangements in the UK include flexitime, compressed hours, remote working and staggered shifts.
How do flexible working hours work?
Flexible working hours usually give employees some control over when they start and finish work, while still completing their agreed hours. For example, someone might work 8am to 4pm instead of 9am to 5pm, or split hours around childcare or commuting.
Many businesses use a flexible hours policy with “core hours” where everyone must be available, alongside flexible periods before or after.
In remote teams, flexibility often focuses more on output and deadlines than time spent online. The exact setup depends on the role, business needs, and employee agreement.
Types of flexible working hours
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to flexible working hours. Businesses can choose arrangements that suit their team, workload, and customers.
Common types of flexible working hours include:
- Flexitime - Employees choose start and finish times within set limits.
- Compressed hours - Full-time hours worked across fewer days.
- Remote or hybrid working - Staff work from home some or all of the time.
- Part-time schedules - Fewer working hours than standard full-time roles.
- Staggered shifts – Different employees start and finish at different times.
Many UK SMEs combine several flexible working arrangements together. According to the CIPD, 91% of UK employers offer some form of flexible working arrangement.
Benefits of flexible working hours
Flexible working hours can improve productivity, retention, and employee wellbeing. According to the CIPD, better work-life balance is one of the biggest reported benefits of flexible working in the UK.
For employers
- Wider talent pool when hiring
- Improved productivity and morale
- Reduced absenteeism and burnout
For employees
- More control over daily schedules
- Less commuting stress and cost
- Greater flexibility around childcare or personal commitments
Flexible working hours and UK law
Under UK law, all employees have the legal right to request flexible working from their first day in a job. This changed in April 2024 under the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act.
Employers must consider requests reasonably and respond within two months. Employees can also make two flexible working requests each year.
However, flexible working is not an automatic right to work however someone wants. Employers can still refuse requests for valid business reasons, such as extra costs or impact on performance.
How to manage flexible working hours in a remote team
Flexible working hours for remote teams only work well when everyone knows the rules from day one. A good flexible hours policy should balance freedom with clear expectations.
Here are a few practical ways to manage flexible working arrangements remotely:
- Set core hours for meetings and collaboration
- Use shared calendars to track availability
- Focus on deadlines and output, not screen time
- Schedule regular check-ins without micromanaging
- Use project management tools to keep work organised
