flextime

American  

[fleks-tahym] / ˈflɛksˌtaɪm /

Also flexitime

noun

1. a system of working that allows an employee to choose, within limits, the hours for starting and leaving work each day.

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Other Word Forms

• flexitimer noun
• flextimer noun

Etymology

Origin of flextime

First recorded in 1970–75; flex ² + time

Explanation

If a job offers flextime, it means employees can adapt their work hours to suit their lives. Flextime might allow a dad to come in early and leave in the afternoon to pick up his kids after school. Flextime is a shortened version of flexible time, a workplace policy that started in the 1970s. Employers typically offer this flexible scheduling to white-collar office workers. Most flextime arrangements require employees to work the same number of hours, but allow them to arrive and leave earlier (or later). For working parents, people who care for elderly family members, or those who want to take an afternoon jiu jitsu class, flextime makes life a little bit easier.

Example Sentences

I really strive to lead an inclusive team where everyone’s opinions are heard, and there is ample flextime for personal business.

From New York Times • Jan. 2, 2022

Men need to be transparent at work about family responsibilities, including taking full parental leave, sick leave and requesting flextime arrangements that support their partner’s career and household demands.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 4, 2020

One reason why employees take remote jobs is their bosses give them flextime; they can make their own hours, take time off for children’s activities or to go to the gym or walk the dog.

From Washington Times • Feb. 26, 2020

This time around, big multinationals offered workers flextime to strike.

From Washington Post • Jun. 18, 2019

If he had any reservations listening to me explain how flextime was a necessity while I bounced Sasha on my lap, hoping all the while that her diaper wouldn’t leak, he didn’t express them.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama