Alternate Work Schedules

Alternate Work Schedules (AWS) have the potential to enable managers and supervisors to meet their program goals, while at the same time, allowing employees to be more flexible in scheduling their work. As employees gain greater control over their time, they can, for example, balance work and family responsibilities more easily, become involved in volunteer activities, and take advantage of educational opportunities. AWS programs also serve as useful recruitment and retention tools.

Subject to the obligation to negotiate with the local union(s), the decision to establish an AWS program is at the discretion of the installation commander.

There has been recent growing interest in AWS due to its potential for improving productivity, relieving traffic congestion, expanding the hours of service to the public and providing greater employment opportunities for those persons who cannot work standard fixed work hours. Results from many Federal agencies that have introduced AWS show increased productivity and employee morale, a virtual elimination of tardiness, and other favorable impacts. Many concerns can generally be minimized by careful planning and good communication of the objectives and ground rules of the program.

There are two categories of AWS:

1. Flexible Work Schedules
   
2. Compressed Work Schedules