[Excerpt] Alternative work schedules encompass work hours that do not necessarily fall inside the perimeters of the traditional and often rigid 8-hour workday or 40-hour workweek. Such schedules allow working people to earn a paycheck while having the flexibility to take care of children, older relatives and other needs. Examples of such schedules include: limits on mandatory overtime, flexible work day, compressed workweek, shift swap and telecommuting. Changes in the workforce and the economy are making alternative work schedules increasingly important for working families trying to balance jobs and family responsibilities.