Introduction
Flexible work hours allow employees to work an eight-hour shift that typically begins between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m. and ends between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Providing a range of start and end times:
- Reduces the number of workers traveling to and from work during the peak-volume times while still allowing typical office hours.
- Shifts peak-hour traffic to less-congested hours, reducing commute times.
- Improves productivity by allowing employees to work at times that fit their lifestyle.
Staggered work hour programs are a variation of flexible work hour programs. They alternate the arrival of groups of employees, but the employees may have no ability to choose their shift. These programs differ from compressed work weeks in that they do not eliminate an entire day from the week and work well for businesses that must stay open five days a week. These programs work well in manufacturing or plant operations to ease crowding at entrances/exits, elevators, and parking areas.
All flexible work hour programs can be voluntary or mandatory. They may be used to satisfy trip reduction and air quality regulations. How they are implemented is up to business management and individual workers.
Target Market
Local, State, and Federal Government Agencies
Government agencies employ a large number of people that typically work a shift and are often in heavily developed areas. Workers can commute earlier or later to reduce their contribution to congestion.
Business in All Sectors and Industries
Staggering work schedules or allowing flexible work hours removes a large number of vehicles traveling at the same time. Flexible work schedules used in areas of high congestion increase road productivity and reduce the traffic backups often seen during rush hours.
Unlike telecommuting, flexible work hours can be easily implemented by manufacturing and industrial businesses that rely on shift work.
How Will This Help?
- Reduces traffic during peak times by shifting drivers’ commutes to less-congested periods.
- Helps increase productivity and reduces costs of overtime and sick leave. The reduced road and parking lot congestion decreases wasted time and frustration. Also, workers can determine their own schedules and build their work hours around appointments that often result in absences.
Implementation Examples
Application Techniques and Principles
Work schedules for some businesses are easily adapted for the flexible work hour technique. Adequate planning, enforcement, and coordination are required to make the technique successful at easing congestion. It is also important to place value on employee input.
Employers should take into account the distances workers must travel and the external factors (i.e., family and other situations) that affect the hours they can work. For example, starting early and ending later may cause hardships if the employee is traveling a long distance. Piloting a three- to six-month program to analyze the benefits of flexible work hours before committing to the technique is recommended.
Who Is Responsible?
Business management and individual workers should work together to create a flexible work schedule. Management should consider what schedules would benefit each worker based on family and other commitments. Workers should develop schedules that meet organizational and personal or family goals. City and state officials should highlight the benefits of flexible work hours to business management and workers to convince everyone that it is worth the effort to alter work schedules.

Issues
The private and public sectors must partner to educate and encourage organizations to take advantage of this strategy. Flexible work hour programs are easy to create but may not work well for some employers. Businesses must assess the costs and operational changes needed to add flexible work hour schedules. Ridesharing programs and employee scheduling should be coordinated for maximum benefit.
Cost
The cost of flexible work hours is minimal. A majority of the cost involves the work required to implement the plan and reschedule the workers. Any additional costs are primarily due to operational changes in the business. Flexible work hour plans typically cost between $20,000 and $40,000 to implement and maintain.
Data Needs
The data needed to evaluate the benefits and costs of flexible work hour plans include:
- The number of workers willing to participate.
- The average commuter distance.
- The number of weekdays with altered hours.
If only a small percentage of people are willing to shift their schedules, management should evaluate the need for the program and the effects of only certain workers being involved.
Project Time Frame
The time frame for implementing a flexible work hour program is relatively short compared to more complex methods. The technique depends on the amount of time needed to gain employee buy-in, reschedule workers, and implement the plan, typically between three and six months.
Flexible Work Hours Best Practices
- Type of location: Any organization that does not have strict 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. business hours.
- Agency practices: Strong program support from administrators and policy makers.
- Frequency of reanalysis: Annually.
- Supporting policies or actions needed: Clear policies on flexible work hours.
- Complementary strategies: Compressed work weeks and telecommuting.
For More Information
Crawford, J. A., T. B. Carlson, W. L. Eisele, and B. T. Kuhn. A Michigan Toolbox for Mitigating Traffic Congestion. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, Texas, September 2011.
Texas A&M Transportation Institute. Mobility Improvement Checklist: Managing Demand: Vol. 1. College Station, Texas, September 2004.
