What Is Considered Part-Time Employment?
Some workers may find themselves involuntarily thrown into part-time hours in a payroll cutback, while other employees prefer the shorter work schedule. Employees and employers may find part-time work offers more flexibility. An employee can find it easier to balance home and work in her life, while an employer may have part-timers on hand to cover busier periods. A part-timer can also use some of that extra time to go to school or to pursue other interests.
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No Real Standard
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The United States Department of Labor does not define what full-time and part-time employment are. This definition is left up to the discretion of the company, though it could be by agreement between employer and employee. Generally, though, a work week of 32 to 40 hours is considered part-time, though this varies. For demographic purposes, the Bureau of Labor Statistics uses 35 hours as the dividing line. Part-time work can be in any occupation; the only qualifier is the number of hours worked.
Who Works Part-Time?
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Although some workers are on part-time status due to employer cutbacks, other workers stick with part-time hours by choice. Working mothers and students are two groups that may find part-time work attractive, as well as those getting ready to retire. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a disparity between male and females here; 25 percent of female workers worked part-time compared to 11 percent of the males in 2004. Also, half the male part-timers are younger than age 25, as compared to 30 percent of females working part-time.
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Other Part-Time Reasons
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Besides students and people taking care of families, there are other reasons to work part-time. Employees starting their own businesses during off hours may find the reduced work schedule enough to cover their needs while freeing up time to run their business. Other workers may prefer two part-time jobs to one full-time one. A part-time schedule is usually more flexible than a full-time one; an employee can sometimes build his work schedule around his other needs.
Benefits and Part-Time
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Most companies set a minimum number of hours an employee must work before he can get benefits, although that varies by the company. An employee contemplating a part-time schedule needs to know if he can still receive health insurance. However, part-time work can be a plus for older workers who draw Social Security benefits; the Social Security Administration starts deducting from the pension check after a certain wage threshold is reached.
Company Flexibility
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Companies value the flexibility part-time workers give them. Part-timers can be deployed to cover peak hours. A company can split one full-time position between two part-timers in a job-sharing arrangement.
Part-Time in Hard Times
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During slow economic periods, companies find it necessary to cut back on payroll expenses. Cutting workers back to part-time status is one way to do this, as it keeps workers on the payroll for when times get better.
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References
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