8 Types of Flexible Working Arrangements

The traditional 9-to-5 office job is no longer the only way to build a career. Especially in a fast-moving city like Ho Chi Minh City, people are looking for more freedom in how they work. Flexible working is all about giving you more control over your schedule and location. For business owners and freelancers, figuring out the best way to work can make a huge difference. It helps you attract good people, keep them happy, and build a company that feels modern and trusting.

8 Types of Flexible Working Arrangements

“Flexible work” can mean a lot of different things. It’s not just one style. 

Let’s break down eight popular types of flexible working so you can see what might work for you or your team.

1. Hybrid Work

Hybrid work is a mix of working in the office and working from somewhere else. You get a bit of both worlds. For example, you might go to the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays for team meetings and then work from home the other three days.

This approach is popular for a good reason. You still get to see your colleagues face-to-face, which is great for brainstorming and feeling like part of a team. On your work-from-home days, you can focus without distractions and skip the commute. For companies in HCMC, it means you can have a lively office culture without needing everyone there all the time. The challenge is to make sure everyone feels included, whether they are in the office or not.

2. Telecommuting

Telecommuting is when you work from outside the office, usually from home, but you live close enough to come in when you need to. Think of it as being a “local” off-site worker. You might work from your apartment most of the week but be ready to head into the office for a big presentation or a special event.

The biggest win here is getting back the time you would have spent in traffic. In a city like HCMC, that can be a lot of extra time in your day. For employers, it shows you trust your team to get work done without watching over them. It’s a great step towards more freedom, but you still have that physical connection to your office and team when it matters.

3. Remote Work

Remote work takes flexibility to the next level. It means you can do your job from anywhere in the world. You are not tied to an office or even a city. As long as you have your laptop and a good internet connection, you’re good to go. Many remote companies don’t even have a physical headquarters.

This gives you the ultimate freedom to live where you want. For a company, it means you can hire the best person for the job, even if they live in another country. It opens up a global talent pool. Of course, it has its challenges. Keeping a team connected across different time zones takes work. It’s a model built on great communication and trust.

4. Condensed Workweeks

A condensed work week means you work your total full-time hours in fewer days. The most common setup is working four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour days. The result? A three-day weekend, every single week.

The main benefit is having a longer block of personal time. You can use that extra day to relax, travel, run errands, or work on a personal project. It’s a fantastic perk that can make people love their jobs. The trade-off is that the workdays are longer and can be pretty intense. This style is great for people who can stay focused for long stretches and really value that extra day off.

5. Flextime

Flextime is all about flexible start and end times. You still work your full day, but you decide when to begin and finish. Many companies that use flextime have “core hours,” maybe from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., when everyone needs to be available for meetings. Outside of that, your schedule is up to you.

This is super practical. You can start early to finish early, or you can start later to avoid rush hour. It lets you fit work around your life, not the other way around. If you work best late at night, you can adjust your schedule. Flextime is built on the idea that as long as the work gets done well, it doesn’t matter if it happens between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

6. Part-Time Work

Part-time work is a simple and well-known form of flexible work. It just means you work fewer hours than a full-time employee. This could be working 20 hours a week instead of 40, either as a few full days or shorter hours each day.

This is a perfect option for many people. Students can work part-time while they study. Parents can balance work with family life. And if you have a side business or a passion project, a part-time job can provide a steady income while leaving you time to pursue your dream. For businesses, it’s a great way to get help for tasks that don’t need a full-time person.

7. Shift Work

In shift work, the day is broken up into different blocks of time, or shifts. Different employees work during these different periods. This is common for businesses that need to be open for long hours, like shops, restaurants, hospitals, and customer support centers. These are the operations that keep HCMC running day and night.

Schedules can be fixed (you always work the night shift) or they can rotate. For some, working evenings or nights is ideal because it frees up their daytime. However, irregular hours can be tough on your sleep and social life. It takes good management to make sure everyone stays healthy and the business is always covered.

8. Job Sharing

Job sharing is a clever setup where two people share one full-time role. They split the hours, the responsibilities, and the salary. For example, one person might work Monday to Wednesday morning, and the other person takes over from Wednesday afternoon to Friday.

This is a great way for a company to keep talented people who can’t commit to a full-time schedule. The employees get to work in a role they enjoy but with the flexibility of part-time hours. The most important thing for job sharing is communication. The two partners have to work together closely to make sure nothing gets missed. When it works, the company gets two minds working on one job, which can bring great results.

Looking for a flexible workspace in Ho Chi Minh City?

Whether you’re freelancing, building a hybrid team, or just need a professional spot to focus, The Sentry has you covered. We offer inspiring spaces and a friendly community to support your work style. 

Visit The Sentry today to find your new work home.