“Must be flexible” in a job advert rarely means the employer is offering you flexible working. Instead, it means they want you to be flexible for them — open to changing hours, shifting priorities, and duties that may not be in the original job description.
What flexibility usually means
In shift-based roles (retail, hospitality, healthcare), it means your hours will vary and you should be available for different shifts, including weekends or evenings. In office roles, it often means the scope of the job may change, priorities can shift at short notice, and you may be asked to take on tasks outside your core responsibilities.
Flexibility vs. flexible working
Do not confuse “must be flexible” with “flexible working offered”. The first is about what the employer needs from you. The second is about what they offer you — such as remote work, flexitime, or compressed hours. They are very different things, and job adverts sometimes use the ambiguity deliberately.
Questions to ask
- What does flexibility mean in practice for this role?
- How much notice is given for shift or schedule changes?
- Are there core hours, or is availability expected across the full working week?
- Does the company also offer flexible working arrangements in return?
