Flexible schedule at tech company - game changer or trap?

Dec 71 min read

Got offered a role at a startup with "flexible hours whenever" and no core hours. Sounds amazing but I'm skeptical. Has anyone actually worked somewhere like this without it turning into 60 hour weeks? I've got a 2yo and a 6yo, and I'm at a more traditional company now with set hours (8-5) which honestly helps me log off. The extra money would help but I'm worried flexible just means "always available." What's your experience been?

11 comments194 views

Comments(11)

NNolan J.RegularDec 8

I fell for this at a startup 3 years ago. 'Flexible hours' meant nobody could say no to anything because theoretically you could do it whenever. Ended up working 6am-10pm most days. The trap is that with no core hours, there's no boundary - you're always 'on'. Got out after 18 months.

TTerrence M.RegularDec 10

Our startup actually has core hours (10-2pm) plus flexible rest. Way better than 'whenever' because at least there's a guardrail. Maybe counter-offer that structure?

FFred J.RegularDec 8

lol game changer until it's not. depends entirely on your manager tbh. if they respect boundaries it's great. if they don't, you'll find yourself answering slack at 11pm because technically you can work whenever

SSam P.RegularDec 8

Depends on the company culture tbh. I work at a startup with flexible hours but everyone actually respects cutoff times because the founder models it. Before you accept, ask current employees (not the hiring manager) what their actual hours look like. And ask if there's a pattern of weekend work.

FFritz N.RegularDec 8

Been remote with flexible schedule for 5 years at a real company (not startup). The difference is they genuinely care about results not hours. But yeah, startups are different animals - they want the flexibility to work YOU harder, not give you freedom

DDominic E.RegularDec 8

Ask about their actual culture around it. Like literally ask 'what time do people typically log off' and 'has anyone taken a full week off.' Their answers will tell you everything. Some startups actually mean it, others just use it as an excuse to avoid overtime pay conversations.

HHector R.RegularDec 8

It's a trap. Took a gig like this thinking I'd finally have time with my kids. Ended up with MORE work because there's no structure. Now I'm job searching again. If flexibility is important to you, find a company with DEFINED flexibility - like core hours 10-3 or 4-day weeks. Not this wishy-washy stuff.

RRaj P.RegularDec 8

The 'flexible hours whenever' thing is a trap for dads specifically imo. I took a similar role and ended up working 6am-8pm because there's no boundaries. If there are NO core hours, that means standups and meetings happen whenever, which means you have to be available whenever. Ask about meeting norms before you take it.

DDan M.RegularDec 9

Ask them specifically: "What time do most people log off?" and "What's the latest you'd expect me to be available for a meeting?" If they get vague, run. Startups that are intentional about flexibility will have clear policies. The ones that wing it become burnout machines.

CChris T.RegularDec 9

"No core hours" almost always means "we haven't thought about how this works yet." Push back for clarity - do they expect async communication? When do standups happen? Can you actually log off at 5pm or will Slack blow up? These are not unreasonable questions before uprooting your family.

PPete D.RegularDec 9

One more thing - ask if they've hired parents before and what their experience was. A startup might SAY flexibility is great but if it's all 25yo guys with no kids, the culture might not actually support it even if the policy does.