Difference Between Part Time & Full Time
The United States Department of Labor reports that the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not define a difference between what is considered full-time employment as opposed to part-time employment. However, prospective employees will quickly understand that the differences are typically defined by the amount of weekly hours worked, the type of compensation received and the level of benefits offered for the position.
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Hours
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Traditionally, full-time work has been defined by the 40-our work week; however, this distinction has transitioned to include a 35-hour and even 32-hour week. On the other hand, part-time employment is generally characterized by no standard of hours for an employee to meet weekly. This does not mean to suggest that it is impossible for a part-time worker to reach or exceed a 40-hour work week. In fact, many workers classified as part-time will work full-time hours regularly; however, they will not be guaranteed the work, nor will they qualify for any of the perks that full-time employee enjoys.
Compensation
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Compensation for part-time work is considerably lower than for full-time work even within companies that employ both types of workers for the same services, according to a study by Michael K. Lettau published on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. Because of this fact, those who place high earnings as their No. 1 job priority may need to focus on full-time jobs in their job search only.
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Benefits
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As a general rule, full-time employees are typically offered a far more comprehensive benefits package. Usually, this package will include access to health care coverage, paid holidays, vacations and admittance into a 401k retirement plan. Part-time employees will usually be compensated by their wages alone with a far less complete benefits plan.
Positives
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For people with restrictive private schedules, such as stay at home moms or full-time students, the flexibility of a part-time job may offer a perfect fit for garnering needed income. However, for a large segment of the working population, the security of a full-time job and the benefits that come along with it serve as an important foundation for their professional and personal life.
Negatives
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Of course, with all of the benefits that a full-time job holder receives, there is one significant drawback---a serious weekly time commitment that may prevent you from exploring other opportunities. Conversely, though, the lack of significant compensation and/or health benefits offered at most part-time jobs can be a serious obstacle to those who require those job features to provide for themselves or their families.
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References
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