variable hours

[ˈvɛriəbəl ˈaʊərz]
noun phrase
horário variável
1. A work schedule where the number of hours or times of work are not fixed and can change from week to week or day to day
She works variable hours at the retail store, sometimes 20 hours per week and sometimes 35 hours.
Ela trabalha com horário variável na loja de varejo, às vezes 20 horas por semana e às vezes 35 horas.
2. Employment arrangement that offers flexibility in start times, end times, or total hours worked
The company offers variable hours to accommodate employees with family responsibilities.
A empresa oferece horário variável para acomodar funcionários com responsabilidades familiares.
Variable hours arrangements are increasingly common in Brazil and the USA in service, retail, and gig economy sectors. In Brazil, labor laws require minimum guarantees for variable hour workers. This type of employment offers flexibility but can create income instability for workers.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
flexible hoursflexible scheduleflexible working hoursnon-standard hours
Antonyms / Antônimos
fixed hoursstandard hoursregular hoursfull-time hours

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
horário variável
Standard term used in labor regulations and HR contexts
São Paulo
horário flexível
Commonly used in corporate environments
Rio de Janeiro
horário variável
Standard usage, particularly in service sector
Portugal
horário variável
Similar usage to Brazil, though 'horário flexível' is also common

Related Words

part-time workflexible workingshift workgig workscheduling

Related Idioms & Phrases

work variable hours
on variable hours
subject to variable hours
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →