What is the system called where employees can change their starting and finishing times while still working a set number of hours?

Flexitime is the correct term for a system that allows employees the flexibility to choose their starting and finishing times while ensuring they complete a predetermined number of hours. This system promotes work-life balance, as employees can adjust their work hours to accommodate personal commitments, such as childcare or appointments, thus improving overall job satisfaction and productivity.

Within a flexitime arrangement, there are usually core hours during which all employees are expected to be present, but outside of those hours, employees have the freedom to adjust their schedules. This flexibility can lead to increased motivation and reduced absenteeism, as workers can tailor their work hours to better fit their individual needs and lifestyles.

In contrast, shift work refers to a traditional schedule where employees work specific shifts (such as morning, evening, or night) that do not typically allow for personal adjustment. A compressed workweek involves working a set number of hours over fewer days (for example, four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour days), which does not allow for daily flexibility in start and end times. An adjustable schedule, while similar in concept to flexitime, is less commonly used and might not have the same structure or recognition as flexitime.