Description
An agency may implement for its employees an alternative work schedule (AWS) instead of
traditional fixed work schedules (e.g., 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week). Within rules
established by the agency, AWS can enable employees to have work schedules that help the
employee balance work and family or personal responsibilities.
There are two categories of AWS: flexible work schedules (FWS) and compressed work
schedules (CWS).
FWS consist of workdays with (1) core hours and (2) flexible hours. Core hours are the
designated period of the day when all employees must be at work. Flexible hours are the
part of the workday when employees may (within limits or "bands") choose their
time of arrival and departure. Within limits set by their agencies, FWS can enable
employees to select and alter their work schedules to better fit personal needs and help
balance work, personal, and family responsibilities.
Employee Coverage
A Federal employee, as defined in section 2105(a) or (c) of title 5, United States
Code, who is employed by an agency, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 6121(1), may be covered by a
flexible work schedule. Flexible work schedules are voluntary work schedules that are
approved by supervisors or managers.
Credit Hours
Credit hours are any hours within an FWS that are in excess of an employee's basic work
requirement (e.g., 40 hours a week) which the employee elects to work to vary the length
of a workweek or a workday. Agencies may limit or restrict the earning and use of credit
hours. OPM regulations prohibit Senior Executive Service (SES) members from accumulating
credit hours under AWS programs (5 CFR 610.408). The law prohibits carrying over more than
24 credit hours from one pay period to the next (5 U.S.C. 6126).
Types of FWS
There are various types of FWS arrangements that provide different degrees of
flexibility. These include flexitour, gliding, variable day, variable week, and maxiflex
schedules.
Overtime
Overtime work means all hours of work in excess of 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a
week which are officially ordered in advance.
Compensatory Time Off
An employee who is not a member of the Senior Executive Service may request
compensatory time off in lieu of payment for irregular or occasional overtime
work or regularly scheduled overtime work. (See 5 U.S.C. 6123(a)(1).)
Night Pay
In general, premium pay for night work is not paid to a General Schedule (GS) employee
solely because the employee elects to work credit hours, or elects a time of arrival or
departure, at a time when night pay is authorized.
However, agencies must pay night pay to GS employees for those hours that must be
worked between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. to complete an 8-hour tour of duty. Agencies must also
pay night pay for all designated core hours worked between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. and for any
regularly scheduled overtime work between those hours.
Note: For prevailing rate (wage) employees, see 5 U.S.C. 6123(c)(2).
Holidays
On holidays, a full-time Flexible Work Schedule (FWS) employee is limited to 8 hours of
basic pay. A part-time FWS employee is entitled to basic pay for the number of hours
scheduled for the holiday, not to exceed 8 hours. (See 5 U.S.C. 6124.)
Holiday Premium Pay
Holiday premium pay (equal to 100 percent of the rate of basic pay) is limited to
nonovertime hours worked, not to exceed a maximum of 8 nonovertime hours per holiday.
Sunday Premium
Pay
Sunday premium pay is paid for nonovertime work performed by full-time employees only.
A full-time FWS employee earns Sunday premium pay for an entire nonovertime
regularly scheduled tour of duty (not to exceed 8 hours) that begins or ends on Sunday. It
may not be paid for periods of nonwork, including leave, holidays, and excused absence.