Flexible working : Working hours

Part-time work

Part-time work involves working fewer hours than would be considered full time. There is no particular number of hours that make someone part time or full time, but a part-time worker will usually work less than 35 hours a week.

Part-time work is the most common kind of flexible work, with about a quarter of all workers in the UK working part time (ACAS, 2010).

Part-time work is often undertaken to free time for study, training or other responsibilities such as childcare, and the majority of part-time workers are women (ACAS, 2010). 

Flexi-time

Flexi-time offers employees some flexibility over the times that they work. Provided employees work core hours (often in the middle of the day or at the busiest times) they can make up their remaining hours as they choose.

Some organisations allow employees to take excess hours as additional leave (sometimes called ‘flexi-leave’), although normally employees are not allowed to accrue too many hours and commonly there is a limit of one to one and a half days per month.

Flexi-time is most common in office environments.

Compressed working hours

Compressed working hours involves working different patterns of hours on different days. Commonly an employee will work longer hours over four days of the week and take a day off or half a day off one day of the week. Unlike flexi-time, the pattern of hours is fixed and agreed in advance with the employer.

Term-time working

With term-time working an employee works regular hours during school terms but takes time off over school holidays. This kind of work is common in educational environments and is often popular with parents of school-age children.

TOIL (time off in lieu)

Time off in lieu is where an employee takes time off to compensate for extra hours they have worked. It is often offered by employers instead of paid overtime. TOIL normally needs to be agreed with managers in advance.

Annualised hours

An annualised hours contract specifies the number of hours to be worked in one year. This pattern originally developed in industries with a seasonal work flow, such as manufacturing, but has extended into retailing, financial services, and health and emergency services.

Annualised hours contracts are normally (but not always) associated with shift work. In annualised hours a worker’s hours are calculated over a year. The majority of these hours are then allocated to specific shifts, but the remaining hours are kept in reserve so that workers can be called in at short notice as required.

Zero-hours contracts

Zero-hours contracts are where a worker is not guaranteed any work at all. Instead an employee agrees to work as and when they are needed by their employer.

Zero-hours contracts are common for supply teachers and bank staff in health and social care settings. This kind of work tends to appeal to people who are looking for an occasional income. 

V-time working

V-time working involves a voluntary reduction in hours for a fixed period with the guarantee of a return to normal hours once the period ends.

V-time working may be initiated by the employee or the employer, and is normally agreed for specific purposes, e.g. undertaking a course of study or caring for a family member.

Holiday purchase scheme

A holiday purchase scheme allows employees the opportunity to purchase an additional number of days’ holiday on top of their annual entitlement. The cost of a day’s holiday varies depending on a worker’s salary and there is usually a limit to the number of days that can be bought.

Holiday work and work experience for students

Holiday work is commonly undertaken by students. It can be used primarily to earn money or to gain experience relevant to a future career. University careers services or job shops will often advertise vacancies and may have details of student internships or work experience opportunities in particular industries. Some opportunities may be unpaid but students should check their rights as the law is complicated in this area. Additional information is available on the work experience pages from the National Association of Student Employment Services (NASES)  and on the Rights for Interns  website.