Look at what they are doing — or trying to do — at the Department of Agriculture.  Be still my heart!

As a long-time federal manager, I loathed these flexible work schedules:  Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) or Compressed Work Schedule (CWS).  They drove me nuts — NUTS!

Invariably, something would arise when my expert employees were out on their AWS or CWS days.  You could bank on it.  Plus, trying to schedule meetings on Mondays or Fridays was darn near impossible, and avoided at all costs.  It seemed as though the world was working a three-day schedule while I was working five.

I know that a gaggle of folks are on such arrangements and absolutely love them.  What's not to love?  A lot, if you're a supervisor or colleague needing to connect immediately with a trained employee to finish an important project or respond to a hot ad hoc inquiry that must be answered right now! 

On the other hand, four fingers and a thumb.  Seriously, on the other hand, this is a device to help recruit and retain those same-self experts on whom we depend, right?

Give us your good and bad about AWS and CWS.  I'd imagine a few of you may have some thoughts.

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