Flexible work offers different work styles and employment practices. It encompasses all types of employment practices other than the conventional `9 am to 5 pm' jobs. Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations or job structures, and flexible work arrangements. Employees may choose a different work schedule to meet personal or family needs. Alternatively, employers may initiate altered schedules to meet their customer needs. This article discusses the evolution of FWOs, and the advantages and disadvantages employers and employees face for such an option.

A flexible workplace allows employees to lead balanced lives while making employers more competitive. Flexible work alternative is the single important factor that allows employees to select the life style they want for themselves and their families. The concept of FWO evolved in the 1960s in the US and spread to different countries by 1990s. It was found suitable mainly to software companies and consultants due to their nature of work. The approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures, flexible work arrangements, and time worked does not equate to achieved outcomes. The classification of these options vary from country to country, and firm to firm, depending on the nature of business.