glide time: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal (business, HR)
Quick answer
What does “glide time” mean?
A flexible working-hours system where employees choose their start and finish times within agreed limits.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A flexible working-hours system where employees choose their start and finish times within agreed limits.
A schedule allowing variable daily arrival and departure times, also known as flextime, often contrasted with fixed 'core hours'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'glide time' is slightly more common in British English, while 'flextime' (or 'flexitime') dominates in American English.
Connotations
Both terms connote workplace modernity and employee autonomy. No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, confined to professional HR and management contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “glide time” in a Sentence
[company] + offers + glide time[employee] + works + on glide timeto be + on + glide timeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “glide time” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new policy allows staff to glide-time between 7 am and 7 pm.
- She prefers gliding her time to avoid the rush hour.
American English
- The firm lets employees glide time within a twelve-hour window.
- He's gliding his time this month to accommodate childcare.
adverb
British English
- He works glide-time, so his hours vary.
- The team operates largely glide-time.
American English
- She's employed glide-time to better manage her projects.
- The department functions almost glide-time.
adjective
British English
- The glide-time system has improved punctuality.
- We have a glide-time agreement with our manager.
American English
- The glide-time option is popular with commuters.
- She works a glide-time schedule.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Common in HR policy documents and employment contracts discussing work-life balance initiatives.
Academic
Used in business management and organisational psychology studies on productivity.
Everyday
Rare; an employee might say 'I'm on glide time' to explain their variable schedule.
Technical
Not a technical term outside of human resources management.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “glide time”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “glide time”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “glide time”
- Using 'glide time' as a countable noun (e.g., 'a glide time').
- Confusing it with 'compressed hours' or 'part-time work'.
- Incorrectly capitalising as a proper noun (Glide Time).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, glide time is specifically about flexible arrival and departure times at the workplace. It is about *when* you work at the office, not *where* you work.
Core hours are a fixed period in the middle of the day (e.g., 10 am to 4 pm) when all employees must be present to ensure collaboration and meetings can take place.
Yes, depending on local employment law and the operational needs of the business. It is often granted where it does not disrupt service or team efficiency.
There is no substantive difference; 'flexitime' (or 'flextime') is simply a more common synonym, especially in American English. 'Glide time' is a less frequent variant.
A flexible working-hours system where employees choose their start and finish times within agreed limits.
Glide time is usually formal (business, hr) in register.
Glide time: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡlaɪd ˌtaɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡlaɪd ˌtaɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to glide in and out (informal, related)”
- “to work your own hours”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an employee GLIDING smoothly into work at 9:30 one day and 8:45 the next, choosing their TIME.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORK SCHEDULE IS A FLUID PATH (contrasted with a rigid track).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of 'glide time'?