Not everyone is available to work the 9-to-5 banker's hours. Whether it's responsibilities at home, class schedules or the necessity of working a second job, flexible hours can be a crucial employee benefit. Here are some positions which offer the flexibility you may be craving.
Corporate Positions
Many companies recognize the value of offering flexible work schedules to their employees. Part-time, job sharing, compressed workweeks and telecommuting arrangements can be attractive recruitment tools for many firms. Check with your human resources department or future employer regarding possible flex arrangements.
At the SAS Institute, a business intelligence software and services business, flexible work arrangements are seen as a company investment -- and one that apparently pays off. SAS maintains one of the lowest voluntary turnover rates in its industry -- 5 percent, compared to the industry average of 20 percent.
At MetLife, 12 percent of non-sales associates participate in formal, flexible arrangements. Many others hold informal flexible schedules to accommodate work-life needs as they arise.
Non-Tenured Post-Secondary Teachers
These positions can include university professors, college faculty and technical education instructors. Because the schedules follow class times (including night and weekend classes), they can hold much flexibility. For example, Lois E., an expert in records management, works just two days a week as an associate university professor.
Temporary Employment Services
By their very nature temp jobs offer plenty of flexible work opportunities. Placement is often for a finite time period and, if desired, allows for large blocks of time off in between assignments. Temporary employees may also request the specific days, times or frequency they would like to work.
Hospitality Clerks
Hospitality employees staff the front desk of hotels, motels and resorts. They check guests in and out, process payments and assist patrons as needed. Because hospitality is a 24-hour industry, it creates the need for around-the-clock staffing.
Library Assistants
Library assistants sort and organize materials in their correct classifications, check materials in and out of library collections, and assist librarians with various duties. Since many libraries are open on nights and weekends, library assistants often can arrange for a flexible schedule. Nearly half of all library assistants are part-time employees, like Ann S., who works in her city library for extra money to defray her children's college expenses.
Hairstylists and Barbers
These professionals provide hair care and styling services to their customers, which means being available during evening and weekend hours. Many stylists, like Lorna B., start their own businesses and therefore have even more control over their schedules.
Retail Positions
Flexible schedules are abundant in retail, and nearly half of all cashiers work part time. For Nancy P., who retired from the corporate world eight years ago, the shorter hours and store discounts make being a retail cashier the perfect "post-retirement" gig.
Fitness Instructors
In order to accomodate clients' schedules, fitness instructors typically work part-time positions at athletic clubs, spas and gyms, as well as privately in clients' homes.
Restaurant Staff
Servers, bussers, runners and hosts have always enjoyed restaurants' flexible schedules. It is this ability to work off-hours that attracted Wanda R. to waitressing more than 10 years ago. For Wanda, it's the perfect job to work a few evenings a week, which allows her to be home for her children during the day.
Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs
Because people have transportation needs at all hours of the day, taxi drivers and chauffeurs can have a tremendous amount of flexibility and independence in their positions.
Copyright 2007 CareerBuilder.com.
