Flexible hours debate: does it actually exist or is it corporate BS?

Dec 151 min read

My company's official policy says "flexible hours" but every time someone takes advantage of it, there's this weird resentment from management. Like, sure, you CAN leave at 3pm if you have a kid appointment, but then you're expected to work later or on weekends to "make it up." So it's not actually flexible, it's just rescheduled guilt. I'm calling it out in the next all-hands. Probably dumb move but I'm tired of the pretense. Anyone work somewhere that actually has REAL flex without the asterisk?

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Comments(11)

TTom E.RegularDec 16

This is so real. My manager acts cool about it until you actually use it, then suddenly you're 'not committed' or 'not a team player.' The resentment thing is insane - like your work output changed but the hours did.

RRick J.RegularDec 17

The trick is framing it. Don't say 'I'm leaving at 3 for appointment.' Say 'I'll be working 7am-5pm with a 2 hour break at 2.' Same hours, different packaging. Managers care about optics.

OOscar D.New DadDec 16

The key is having actual deliverables and crushing them. If your manager sees you're getting MORE done on flexible hours, they stop caring when you do it

FFred V.RegularDec 16

that resentment is 100% real and it sucks. they SAY flexible but what they mean is 'flexible as long as your flexibility doesn't inconvenience me'

RRick J.RegularDec 17

this is why i just stopped asking. started leaving at 3pm and not mentioning it, coming back online later. if they don't see it happen they can't resent it

MMike F.RegularDec 17

It's corporate BS unless your manager is actually cool about it. Had one boss who meant it. Then got a new one and suddenly the same policy became a career liability

DDanny R.RegularDec 16

I feel this hard. made the mistake of using flexible hours for a kid appointment once and spent the next 2 months proving i was still working hard. not worth it

CChad R.RegularDec 17

Have you asked your manager directly what "flexible" actually means to them? Sometimes being explicit about what you need kills the weird resentment because they can't pretend they didn't know

DDale J.RegularDec 17

Start looking elsewhere honestly. A company that resents you for using their own policy isn't worth staying at. Took me 3 jobs to find one where flexible actually meant flexible, and I'm way happier.

PPete S.RegularDec 17

Document everything if you're gonna take advantage of the policy. Email your manager 'leaving at 3 for kid appt, will finish the deliverables by EOD.' Then actually finish them. Takes the resentment angle away when they can't argue with results.

FFred J.RegularDec 18

It exists but yeah it's performative BS at most companies. The 'culture' requires you to be visibly there. I started logging in early instead of leaving early and nobody batted an eye even though the policy technically allows it.