What it is
- Work performed for fewer hours than a full-time role
- Fractional roles may involve experienced professionals supporting one or more organizations on a part-time basis
Understanding Flexible Work
At FlexPerts, we support a range of flexible work models designed to connect great talent with forward-thinking organizations.
Types of Flexible Work
For employers
- Access experienced talent without hiring a full-time employee
- Useful for roles that require expertise but not full-time capacity
For talent
- Continue working in your field with reduced hours
- Opportunity to work with multiple organizations
Watch out for
- Clearly defining priorities and scope of work
- Managing time carefully across limited hours
- Being selective about meetings and non-essential tasks
What it is
- A role performed outside a company office, usually from home or another location
- Work is done online using digital tools and communication platforms
- Ideal for knowledge-based roles with clear deliverables
For employers
- Hire talent without requiring them to be in a specific location
- Access a broader, often global, talent pool
- Potentially reduce office space and related operating costs
For talent
- Work from home or another location instead of commuting to an office
- Access opportunities outside their local job market
- Location flexibility, though working hours may still be fixed
Watch out for
- Managing performance based on outcomes rather than time spent online
- Clear communication and expectations across teams
- Maintaining collaboration, team culture and connection Ensuring access to the right tools and systems for remote work
- Avoiding blurred boundaries between work and personal time
- Time zone differences across teams
What it is
- Work done for a company on a project basis, for a fixed period of time, or on an as-needed ad-hoc basis
- The role is not permanent and is usually tied to specific deliverables or outcomes
- Can also include short-term or seasonal roles (for example events, exhibitions, or campaigns)
For employers
- Bring in specific expertise for a project or short-term need
- Increase capacity without creating a permanent role
- Useful for seasonal work or temporary spikes in demand
For talent
- Work independently with one or multiple clients
- Opportunity to gain experience across different companies or industries
- Often more control over the type of work accepted
Watch out for
- Clearly defining scope, deliverables, and timelines
- Integrating contractors effectively with internal teams
- Well-structured contracts, timelines and payment terms
What it is
- A work arrangement where employees can vary their start and finish times
- The total working hours usually remain the same, but the schedule is more flexible than a standard 9–5
- Works best for roles that do not require constant real-time availability and teams that are comfortable with asynchronous collaboration
For employers
- Offer flexibility while maintaining the same roles, responsibilities and quality of work
- Support employees with personal commitments without reducing overall working hours
- Improve employee engagement, productivity, and retention by giving employees the freedom to design work hours around their needs
For talent
- Adjust working hours to fit personal needs and most productive hours
- Examples include starting later after school drop-off or taking a break during the day for childcare or appointments
Watch out for
- Requires trust and clear expectations between employer and employee
- Managing performance based on outcomes rather than time at a desk
- Ensuring sufficient overlap in working hours for team collaboration
- Avoiding blurred boundaries between work and personal time
What it is
- A temporary role covering an employee who is on maternity or parental leave
- The position typically lasts for a fixed period of time until the employee returns
For employers
- Maintain continuity in a role while an employee is on leave
- Ensure responsibilities and projects continue without disruption
For talent
- Opportunity to take on a defined role for a fixed period
- Can be a way to gain experience, step into a more senior role, or return to the workforce
Watch out for
- Being clear about the expected duration of the role
- Managing expectations around the temporary nature of the position
- Good documentation and handover at both the start and end of the contract
What it is
- Two professionals share one full-time role
- Each person works part of the schedule and shares responsibility for the same position
For employers
- Retain experienced professionals who cannot commit to full-time roles
- Support transitions such as maternity return, phased retirement, or succession planning
- Combine complementary skills when two professionals bring different strengths (for example strategic and operational expertise)
- Maintain full coverage for operational roles such as reception or administrative support
For talent
- Work reduced hours while remaining in a meaningful role
- Maintain career continuity during life transitions such as returning from parental leave
- Share responsibility and workload with another professional
Watch out for
- Clear division of responsibilities between job-share partners
- Strong communication and coordination between both individuals
- Consistent documentation and structured handovers between working days
What it is
- A short-term role designed to give early-career professionals practical work experience
- Internships are usually temporary and focused on learning and development
For employers
- Bring in additional support for projects or team tasks
- Build a pipeline of future talent
- Introduce early-career professionals to the organization and industry
For talent
- Gain practical work experience and exposure to a professional environment
- Develop skills and explore potential career paths
- Build a network and strengthen a CV
Watch out for
- Ensuring the role provides meaningful learning opportunities
- Availability of senior resources to guide and supervise the work
- Setting clear expectations on responsibilities and duration
What it is
- Roles or structured programs designed for professionals returning to work after a career break
- Often offered as fixed-term positions that may or may not convert into a permanent role
- The break may have been for caregiving, parenting, health, relocation, or further study
For employers
- Access experienced professionals who may have stepped away from the workforce temporarily
- Bring in mature talent with previous experience and transferable skills
- Provide a structured pathway for experienced professionals to re-enter the workforce
For talent
- Re-enter the workforce after time away
- Rebuild confidence, skills, and professional networks
- Opportunity to transition back into a long-term role if the position converts
Watch out for
- Providing appropriate onboarding and support after time away from the workforce
- Setting realistic expectations for both the employer and the returning professional
- Allowing time to rebuild familiarity with tools, systems, and industry changes
Finding the right flexible model
Flexible work is not one-size-fits-all. The right model depends on the needs of both the organization and the professional.
At FlexPerts, we help connect businesses and professionals through flexible work arrangements that support productivity, balance, and long-term success.
Have questions?
Get in touch with our team - we'd be happy to help you explore the flexible work model that's right for you.
Contact us