Updated July 2023

If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it's that our workforce is capable of adapting and pivoting more than ever before. While I've been working from home for the past five years as the owner of One Nine Design and founder of the Nonprofit Template Shop, many experienced working from home for the first time when COVID-19 wreaked havoc on traditional work schedules. 

For example, my husband works for a regional bank and has always worked traditional schedules in an office building. However, he worked at home for several months during the pandemic, and his hours fluctuated as his team adapted to ever-changing schedules. 

In my client work, I’m often working in different times zones, from home and from remote locations, and balancing a myriad of factors around alternative work schedules. It's challenging at times, but I've learned in the past six years that I thrive on a flexible, work-from-home schedule. 

Thankfully, more and more employers recognize that one set schedule and working environment may not be best for everyone. 

From flextime, job sharing, telecommuting, and compressed work weeks, small businesses must adapt to meet the demands of the workforce. If you're in the position of hiring and managing a workforce, understanding the different types of schedules will help you make better decisions for your team and remain competitive with other employers. 

9/80 Work Week

A compressed work week is when an employee works fewer hours over some time, typically four days instead of five. The advantages of a compressed work week are that it can give employees more free time and flexibility in their schedules. It can also lead to increased productivity as employees have less time to waste during the workday. In addition, it can save employers money on things like energy costs and office space. 

Working 80 hours over nine days instead of 40 hours over five days can be demanding, but it can be an excellent option for employees who want more free time outside work. It can also benefit employers who want to save money and increase productivity.

Flextime

The next type of alternative work schedule is flextime. Flextime is when employees can choose their start and end times within a specific range. For example, if an employer's office hours are from nine to five, an employee with flextime could choose to start their day at seven and finish at three.

Flextime is often great for households where both adults work from home and internet bandwith can present limitations. With the unprecedented growth of work from home jobs, some internet providers have introduced internet data caps to handle the demand. Flextime can ensure both partners can work efficiently without the need for hardware upgrades.

The advantage of flextime is that it allows employees to manage their time and schedules better. It can also lead to increased productivity as employees can work when they are most productive. In addition, it can help reduce absenteeism as employees are less likely to take time off when they have the flexibility to choose their hours. 

Job Sharing

Job sharing is when two employees share the duties and responsibilities of one full-time position. Job sharing is increasing in popularity among small businesses and nonprofits particularly. While it requires intentional communication and trust, it can often help an employer find higher-quality candidates. 

For example, if a company is looking for a director of development and finding several qualified candidates who only desire to work part-time, a traditional schedule may dictate that they hire a less qualified person based on availability. However, using a job-sharing role provides a unique opportunity to bring in two talented employees who can evenly divide the duties and bring twice the expertise to the position. 

Seasonal 

Seasonal employment is ideal for students or others with limited work time each year. This schedule allows employees to take advantage of opportunities as they arise without having to commit to a full-time job. It can also be helpful for those who want to try out a new career before committing to it long-term. Seasonal employment can offer several advantages, including: 

• The ability to work around other commitments, such as school or childcare

• Increased flexibility and freedom

• The opportunity to try out a new career without making a long-term commitment

• A chance to earn extra money during peak periods (such as the holiday season)

Telecommuting 

Telecommuting is when employees work from home, either all or part of the time. This type of arrangement has become increasingly popular in recent years as technology has made it easier for people to work remotely. The advantages of telecommuting are that it can lead to increased productivity as employees can avoid distractions and focus on their work. In addition, it can save employers money on things like office space and energy costs. Some people choose to telecommute all the time, while others only do it part of the time. 

On-call 

On-call workers are only required to work when their services are needed. For example, a doctor may be on call for 24 hours but only work for a few hours during that time. While this alternative is less common among businesses or nonprofits, it's not out of the question.

For instance, nonprofits running special events may find that having on-call staff during busier times makes more sense than hiring a full or part-time position all year long. 

Final Thoughts

Regardless of which schedules you offer, the employers that position themselves as open to working with potential employees on their schedule preferences are almost guaranteed to come out ahead of those that remain inflexible or unwilling to compromise. 

For the best chance at success, invest in good employee training, communicate clear guidelines and expectations around each work schedule situation, and schedule regular check-ins with team members to ensure the current schedule is best for everyone. 

What type of schedules do you offer? How have you worked with employees to compromise on alternative work schedules? Tell us in the comments! 

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