Flexible Work Arrangements: Alternate Workweeks

Alternate Workweeks are useful when the employee needs (or prefers) to be free in the middle of the week, or when the department has extended or unusual hours of operation.

Examples:

• The employee's spouse or partner works on weekends, so they would like to be able to be together at least one day during the week.
• The employee likes to enjoy recreation, or attend to personal business, on weekdays when places are less congested.
• The department's highest level of activity is on weekends, when they put on public events.
• The employee has an extremely long commute, so prefers to come in on days when there is less traffic.
• The employee wants to limit child care expenses by staying home one or two days during the week and relying on family for child care on the weekends.

Other Considerations:

• Alternate workweeks can maximize use of space and equipment while minimizing traffic and parking problems.
• Special efforts may be needed to assure safety and the appropriate level of supervision when people work on days when there are few other people around.