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# flexible hours

phrase (noun phrase: flexible hours; also «flexible working», «flexitime» UK)

«flexible hours» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (literal, good sense) a job where you can choose, within limits, when you start and finish work.
2. (euphemism, job adverts) hours that can change without warning, often few or unpaid, chosen by the boss not the worker.

### In the lessons

In job adverts and HR language it can be a real benefit or a cover for unstable, unpredictable shifts; neutral-official, all regions. Readers must check who is flexible: the worker or the boss.

### Examples

- Mum's new job has flexible hours, so she can pick me up from school.
- The advert promised flexible hours, but really meant shifts at any time.
- Flexible hours help parents and carers.
- "Flexible hours" in this job means they phone you an hour before.
- Dad works flexible hours and starts at seven to finish early.
- Many companies now offer flexible hours.
- The union said "flexible hours" hid zero-hours contracts.
- With flexible hours, she works eight hours a day but chooses when.

### Note

Trap: it can be good (you choose) or a cover for insecurity (they choose). Ask: are the hours guaranteed? In a maths problem, total hours stay the same even if start times change.