Full Time Vs. Part Time Positions

Classification of employment can sometimes be tricky. When deciding whether someone is part time or full time, there is more to consider than simply the number of hours he works.

Hours Worked

The main distinction between a full-time employee and a part-time employee is the number of hours he works regularly. A full-time employee is generally regularly scheduled to work 35 hours or more a week. A part-time employee works 34 hours or fewer.

Benefits Eligibility

A part-time employee, regardless of the number of hours worked in a week, is generally not eligible for benefits such as health insurance, retirement pensions, vacation accrual or disability benefits.

Pay Rate

Full-time employees generally enjoy a higher hourly rate than part-time employees.

Department of Labor Definition

The U.S Department of Labor does not officially define part time from full time when it comes to hours worked, leaving this to individual employers. This means that part-time workers can work more than 34 hours a week and still be classified as part time in relation to benefits eligibility.

Overtime

Both part-time and full-time employees who are paid an hourly rate are eligible for overtime pay if more than 40 hours are worked in a given work week. Salaried employees are exempt from overtime.

References

• U.S. Department of Labor
• Bureau of Labor Statistics