Workplace flexibility encompasses a broad range of work arrangements in addition to better-known options such as part-time work, telecommuting and flextime.

Workplace flexibility is a way to define how, when, and where work gets done and how careers are organized. It is not a one-size-fits-all policy or program, but a myriad of work options that reflect job responsibilities, life situations, as well as individual and organizational needs. Our view of flexibility is that it must work for both employer and employee. As such, it is a critical ingredient in overall workplace effectiveness.

Common ways of working flexibly are part-time work, telecommuting and flextime, the ability to change the starting and stopping times of one's work schedule. Other examples include:

• Compressed work weeks
• Job sharing
• Part-year work
• Flex careers, including caregiving leaves and sabbaticals
• Phased retirement

For more detailed information about workplace flexibility and effectiveness, as well as about ways of providing flexibility, click the links above.

Continue to the next section of the toolkit: Business Impacts of Workplace Flexibility and Effectiveness

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