Working Moms & Dads: Which Flexible Work
Option
is Best For You and Your Family?
Your home life, finances, and career goals will help you determine which work option is
best for this phase of your life.
Consider the following most common full-time and
part-time flexible work options. (If you prefer a chart
format to compare your options, click here.)
Full-time Flexible Work Arrangements
Flexible work options which retain your full-time income
include flextime, telecommuting and compressed workweek.
Here's a brief overview of full-time work options:
Flextime allows you
a flexible starting and quitting time within
management-set limits.
For example, if your normal work hours are from 8 - 5, a
flextime schedule might allow you to work from 6:30 to
3:30, 9 to 6, or whatever start/stop time worked best
for you, while still being workable for your employer.
Flextime is so popular, widely-used and easily
implemented that a proposal is usually unnecessary to
win approval.
Choose the flextime option if you want to preserve your
visibility on the job by your daily presence, yet could
use the restructured 'extra' time provided in the
morning or afternoon.
 Telecommuting would allow you to work at home during part of your scheduled
hours, usually one to three days a week.
Typically, telecommuters come into the office two or
three days a week to attend meetings and to stay visible
and in touch.
If at least some of your job tasks can be done away from
the office, choose the telecommuting or work-from-home
option. Employers reap the benefit of productivity jumps
typical of remote workers. For you, the flexibility
payoff includes cutting the costs and stress of
commuting, plus trading drive time for more hours of
personal time.
The compressed workweek has you working 40 hours in fewer than five days.
The most widely used set-up is 10 hour days for four
days a week.
Choose this option if you need that additional day off,
have the stamina to consistently work 10-hour days, and
if outside scheduling commitments and arrangements
(e.g., child care) can fit into this non-traditional
schedule.
Part-time Flexible Work Arrangements
Would you say you have an over-scheduled lifestyle?
Choosing a part-time work option can be just the ticket
to a downshifted pace, while still remaining active and
visible in your career.
Consider the following options:
Are you often tired with little time for yourself after
you've taken care of everyone else's needs?
 If so, a shortened workday
of five, six or seven hours can help make the
difference between stress and sanity as you juggle your
work and personal lives.
With fewer hours on the job, you may find yourself with
more energy to get the job done.
If you'd like a full day off during the week, a
shortened workweek may
be your best option. A three or four day workweek can be
an affordable option that works well in most
professional positions. Fewer than three days a week and
you may be unable to meet your job duties—unless you job
share.
 A job sharing
arrangement is a form of part-time work where two people
share the responsibilities of one full-time position.
For professionals or managers and others in high level
career paths, job sharing is an attractive work option
for keeping on the career track while still allowing
more time outside of work.
Careful consideration of your priorities in your
personal, financial and professional life help
guide your choice of the best work option for you.
Try One On for a Good Fit
You can Redesign Your Job
to see if it fits your choice of flexible
work arrangement. Free self-paced planning
exercises right on this site.
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