flexible hours

Meaning

This term refers to a work schedule that allows employees to choose when they start and finish their workday, within certain limits. Instead of a strict 9-to-5 routine, it focuses on completing the required hours at times that suit the employee. It is highly valued for promoting work-life balance.

Examples

• One of the best perks of working from home is having flexible hours.

  One of the best perks of working from home is having flexible hours.

• The company offers flexible hours, but everyone must be online during core hours from 10 AM to 3 PM.

  The company offers flexible hours, but everyone must be online during core hours from 10 AM to 3 PM.

• I prefer working flexible hours because I can drop my kids off at school in the morning.

  I prefer working flexible hours because I can drop my kids off at school in the morning.

• Do we have flexible hours, or does everyone need to start exactly at nine?

  Do we have flexible hours, or does everyone need to start exactly at nine?

• Thanks to our flexible hours, I was able to go to the dentist without taking a full day off.

  Thanks to our flexible hours, I was able to go to the dentist without taking a full day off.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I have a flexible hour at my new job.

  ✓ I have flexible hours at my new job.

  'Flexible hours' is almost always plural when referring to a work schedule. Using the singular sounds unnatural.

• ✗ My boss gave me a flexible time.

  ✓ My boss gave me flexible hours.

  While 'flexible time' (or 'flextime') is sometimes used, 'flexible hours' is the standard collocation. 'A flexible time' is grammatically incorrect in this context.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Our company doesn't have a strict 9-to-5 schedule; we have ___.

  💡 A phrase meaning you can choose your start and end times.

  Show answer

  flexible hours

• Having ___ allows me to beat the morning rush hour traffic.

  💡 Plural noun phrase about adjustable work schedules.

  Show answer

  flexible hours