Core Time and Free Time

We’ll explain about free time.

This will be explained while comparing it with core time.

Core Time

Core Time refers to the time during which everyone must definitely gather. This period guarantees that communication can be conducted.

Typically, it tends to be “a part of the standard working hours,” commonly spanning “from 10:00 to 16:00, including lunch break, with more emphasis on the afternoon.”

Core Time itself only constrains “time,” but it may also constrain “location” — for example, the requirement to work from the office is sometimes enforced.

Free Time

Free Time refers to all remaining time from the standard working hours after deducting core time.

Moreover, it carries several additional nuances.

Time You Don’t Need to Stay Connected

As the name suggests, individuals can spend this time freely. There’s no need to immediately respond to notifications, come to the office, or even work at 9:00 in the morning.

In other words, it is a “personal free time” when one can exercise the right not to stay connected.

That said, since it is work, you still need to work for the designated working hours.

Note: There are ways to abolish designated working hours, but this article omits them. In modern times, this approach seems too advanced for many to keep up with, but I may explain it someday if the opportunity arises.

Alternatively, even if there were no designated working hours, each individual needs to make enough progress to sustain their work.

Used in Conjunction with Core Time

Free time allows for the waiver of communication obligations.

Of course, by itself, it cannot sustain work operations; thus, core time is needed separately.

Hence, it is always used in conjunction with core time.

Differences

Difference from Flexible Time

Flexible time is a term used in a guide by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and refers to “the time when you can arrive at work at any time.”

Flexible time(フレキシブルタイム) and Core time(コアタイム)

On the other hand, free time not only includes flexible time but also grants the right not to stay connected.

Difference from Flex Time

Flex is short for flex-time and refers to:

Flex = Core Time + Flexible Time

In the case of free time:

(Name not yet decided) = Core Time + Free Time

Note: A good name hasn’t emerged yet. Since there is core time, it probably won’t be the next level (like hyper or ultra). I wish there were words that could convey the meaning of creating a distinction.

Difference from Super Flex

Written this way:

Super Flex = Flexible Time

It’s flex without core time.

However, implementing this is practically difficult, and even organizations claiming to have super flex often end up just operating as regular flex in reality.

Correspondence to Teamwork and Solo Work

Our site proposes solo work, lamenting the state of 100% teamwork.

[embed]Not Just Teamwork, but Also Solo Work In today’s world, we are living in the era of teams, where teamwork is considered essential. On the other hand, the…medium.com

A correspondence can be established, as follows:

• Conduct teamwork during core time
• Conduct solo work during free time

In other words, solo work means engaging in activities solo to the extent that one exercises the “right not to stay connected.”

Because the nuances of solo work were hard to convey, we created the concept of free time and published an article on it.