Alternative Work Schedules (AWS)

The Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) program provide tools, beyond compensation, for managers and supervisors to use in meeting program or mission responsibilities while allowing civilian and military members to have greater control over work-life and family balance needs. These work schedule flexibilities also support the Coast Guard’s ability to acquire and retain a diverse, talented workforce.

With the approval of a supervisor or management official, a civilian employee or military member may elect to participate in an AWS program. AWS refers to both Compressed and Flexible Work Schedule programs.

• Compressed Work Schedule (CWS): The CWS is a fixed schedule established by an authorized official as defined below. By law, an appropriated fund civilian working a CWS is prohibited from participating in a Flexitour, Gliding or a Credit Hour FWS option. The CWS allows a full-time civilian or military member to meet an 80-hour, bi-weekly work requirement in fewer than 10 work days. Based on management’s schedule, a part-time civilian may also meet his/her hourly work requirements in fewer than 10 work days.
  • 5-4/9 CWS: A full-time civilian or military member must work eight, nine-hour days and one, eight-hour day for a total of 80 hours in a biweekly civilian pay period. The work week is established by the authorized official before the civilian pay period begins.
  • 4/10 CWS: A full-time civilian or military member must work four, 10-hour days, 40 hours a week, for a total of 80 hours in a biweekly civilian pay period. The work week is established by the authorized official before the civilian pay period begins.
• Flexible Work Schedule (FWS) Program: A civilian employee or military member, with the approval of his/her supervisor, may choose his/her work schedule within locally designated flexible and core time bands. The Coast Guard’s FWS program requires a full-time civilian employee or military member to meet a basic work requirement of eight work hours per day and 40 work hours per week, excluding meal breaks. The FWS program consists of the following options:
  • Flexitour FWS: Allows a civilian employee or military member working a Flexitour FWS to request changes to start and stop times within hours defined by local management (flexible time bands). Once selected and approved by local management, the schedule becomes fixed for the biweekly pay period. Local management may also specify a midday flexible time band. The midday time band must include a lunch break of at least 30 minutes, which, for a civilian employee, is uncompensated. A flexible midday time band allows a civilian employee or military member to extend the work day to accommodate personal needs such as exercise programs, appointments, or other short-term errands. Local management also identifies core time bands and the required times and days when a civilian employee or military member must be present at work or using approved leave. This program may be established for any civilian employee or military member not participating in a CWS program.
  • Gliding FWS: Allows a civilian employee or military member working a Gliding FWS to make daily changes in start and stop times within hours defined by local management (flexible time bands). Local management may also specify a midday flexible time band. The midday time must include a lunch break of at least 30 minutes, which, for a civilian employee, is uncompensated. A flexible midday time band allows a civilian employee or military member to extend the work day to accommodate personal needs such as exercise programs, appointments, or other short term errands. Local management also identifies core time bands and the required times and days where a civilian and military member must be present at work or using approved leave. This program may be established for any civilian employee or military member not participating in a CWS program.
  • Credit Hour FWS: Allows a full and part-time civilian employee to receive credit for hours worked beyond his/her basic work schedule. The law limits the number of biweekly carryover credit hours to 24 hours for a full-time civilian. The number of credit hours for a part-time civilian is prorated. A Credit Hour option may be established for any civilian employee not participating in a CWS program. This option is not applicable to a military member.