Flexible Work Schedules

At Bryn Mawr College, we recognize that meaningful work and personal wellbeing go hand in hand. We are committed to fostering an environment where faculty and staff can thrive professionally while maintaining balance in their personal lives. For more information, review the content below and reach out to Human Resources with questions. 

For More Information

Summer Compressed Work Weeks FAQ

  • What is a Compressed Work Week? A CWW occurs when a traditional 35 to 40-hour workweek is condensed into fewer than 5 days of work (e.g., during 4 days or 4 ½ days). It means working longer days over a shorter period to provide time off elsewhere in the same work week.
  • Eligibility: CWW is available to full-time campus staff in departments and positions that can accommodate schedule flexibility.
  • CWW Request Process: Employees interested in CWW should talk with their manager directly.   Please note that CWW is not guaranteed or an entitlement. Staff approved for CWW must remain flexible to respond to special situations, such as meetings or events that require their attendance, either on-campus or virtually, as needed.
  • Manager Review/Approval: Prior to approving CWW requests, managers must ensure:
  • Adequate departmental coverage will remain in place for continuity of operations, essential team meetings, etc., and
  • CWW schedules do not adversely impact other team members.
  • When does 2026 summertime CWW begin and end? CWW is available from Monday, June 1, through Friday, August 14. CWW is not available in the weeks of June 15-19 and June 29-July 3 when Juneteenth and July 4th holidays are observed.
  • Benefits of working a CWW: These will vary by individual, but may include increased time to spend with family/friends, reduced commute time, reduced commuting expenses, reduced dependent care expenses, reduced wear and tear on personal vehicles, reduced pollution, enhanced scheduling of personal appointments, and more.
  • Do I have to work a CWW? Colleagues are free to continue working their standard 5-day schedule. CWW is optional.
  • Can I skip my meal break to work a shorter day?  Meal breaks are a time to step away from work and refuel/recharge. Skipping lunch to shorten schedules is not permitted.
  • Can I work extra hours one week and take a day off in a later week (e.g., “comp time”)? CWW is only available for the flexibility of time worked in the same 7-day workweek. Bryn Mawr’s workweek begins on Friday and ends the following Thursday.
  • Which day of the week can I request as my “off day” or early day? Most commonly, people request Friday or Monday. However, any day may be requested and considered so long as department managers approve, and appropriate coverage remains available. 

  • I currently work remotely during each week. Can that continue with a CWW schedule?  Yes. CWW will not impact your current remote work agreement so long as sufficient departmental coverage remains available. 

  • If I work a CWW and take time off, how much time do I charge for my absence? If you are working longer days under a CWW schedule, your time off should align with the number of hours you were scheduled to work on the day(s) you will be absent.   

  • What if the position/dept. responsibilities cannot accommodate CWW in certain weeks? In the event that a staff member's department/position is conducive to CWW but not during certain summer weeks due to responsibilities and/or other department commitments, the staff member may request CWW at another time of the year. 

 

What might a CWW schedule look like? The illustrations below are hypothetical and include Friday as the day off or shortened day. Alternate hours and days are permissible and encouraged to ensure adequate coverage during core business hours. 

4-day Compressed Work Week Examples: 

  1. 35-hour schedule + 30-min. meal period (8 AM – 5:15 PM):
  • Monday: 8.75 hours of work + meal period = 9.25 hours per day
  • Tuesday: 8.75 hours of work + meal period = 9.25 hours per day
  • Wednesday: 8.75 hours of work + meal period = 9.25 hours per day
  • Thursday: 8.75 hours of work + meal period = 9.25 hours per day
  • Friday: Off
  1. 35-hour schedule + 60-min. meal period (8 AM – 5:45 PM):
  • Monday: 8.75 hours of work + meal period = 9.75 hours per day
  • Tuesday: 8.75 hours of work + meal period = 9.75 hours per day
  • Wednesday: 8.75 hours of work + meal period = 9.75 hours per day
  • Thursday: 8.75 hours of work + meal period = 9.75 hours per day
  • Friday: Off
  1. 40-hour schedule + 30-min. meal period (7 AM – 5:30 PM):
  • Monday: 10 hours of work + meal period = 10.5 hours per day
  • Tuesday: 10 hours of work + meal period = 10.5 hours per day
  • Wednesday: 10 hours of work + meal period = 10.5 hours per day
  • Thursday: 10 hours of work + meal period = 10.5 hours per day
  • Friday: Off
  1. 40-hour schedule + 60-min. meal period (7 AM – 6 PM):
  • Monday: 10.0 hours of work + meal period = 11 hours per day
  • Tuesday: 10.0 hours of work + meal period = 11 hours per day
  • Wednesday: 10.0 hours of work + meal period = 11 hours per day
  • Thursday: 10.0 hours of work +meal period = 11 hours per day
  • Friday: Off 

4 ½ Day Compressed Work Week Examples: 

  1. 35-hour schedule + 30-min meal period (Mon-Th: 8:45 AM – 5 PM & Fri: 9 AM – 1 PM):
  • Monday: 7.75 hours of work + meal period = 8.25 hours per day
  • Tuesday: 7.75 hours of work + meal period = 8.25 hours per day
  • Wednesday: 7.75 hours of work + meal period = 8.25 hours per day
  • Thursday: 7.75 hours of work + meal period = 8.25 per hours day
  • Friday: 4 hours of work
  1. 35-hour schedule + 60-min meal period (Mon-Th: 8:15 AM – 5 PM & Fri: 9 AM – 1 PM):
  • Monday: 7.75 hours of work + meal period = 8.75 per hours day
  • Tuesday: 7.75 hours of work + meal period = 8.75 per hours day
  • Wednesday: 7.75 hours of work + meal period = 8.75 hours per day
  • Thursday: 7.75 hours of work + meal period = 8.75 hours per day
  • Friday: 4 hours of work
  1. 40-hour schedule + 30-min. meal period (Mon-Th: 7:30 AM – 5 PM & Fri: 9 AM – 1 PM):
  • Monday: 9 hours of work + meal period = 9.5 hours per day
  • Tuesday: 9 hours of work + meal period = 9.5 hours per day
  • Wednesday: 9 hours of work + meal period = 9.5 hours per day
  • Thursday: 9 hours of work + meal period = 9.5 hours per day
  • Friday: 4 hours of work
  1. 40-hour schedule, 60-min. meal period (Mon-Th: 7 AM – 5 PM & Fri: 9 AM – 1 PM):
  • Monday: 9.0 hours of work + meal period = 10 hours per day
  • Tuesday: 9.0 hours of work + meal period = 10 hours per day
  • Wednesday: 9.0 hours of work + meal period = 10 hours per day
  • Thursday: 9.0 hours of work + 60-min. meal period = 10 hours per day
  • Friday: 4.0 hours of work 

https://www.brynmawr.edu/sites/default/files/media/documents/2022-02/FlextimePolicy_0.pdf