What Is the Meaning of Hourly Staff Associate?

An hourly employee is paid on an hour-by-hour basis. Pay for an hourly employee is calculated as hours worked multiplied by rate. Hourly employees are also considered to be eligible for overtime, according to federal law, if they work more than 40 hours in a week.

Types

Hourly associates work full time or part time in a variety of industries. For example, an hourly associate can work full time as a bank teller, while another hourly associate can work part time at a department store.

Benefits

Hourly staff associates have the advantage of working a flexible schedule, which allows them to tend to other obligations they may have. In addition, hourly staff associates can earn extra money to supplement their primary income if times are tough financially.

Disadvantages

The disadvantage of being an hourly staff associate is that you may not have all the benefits of salaried workers, such as health insurance and paid vacations. In addition, hourly staff associates sometimes are not able to advance their careers without additional education.

Training

The education requirements for hourly staff associates vary by employer, but in general hourly staff associates usually have at least a high school diploma. In some careers, hourly staff associates hold an associate or bachelor's degree. In addition, most hourly associates receive on-the-job training.

Considerations

Hourly staff associates can use their jobs as a steppingstone to advanced careers. For example, an hourly associate who works as a receptionist at a clinic can earn an associate degree in medical billing and move up within the company.

References

• Lincoln Public Schools: Hourly Employee Handbook (PDF)
• Dartmouth College: Overview of Fair Labor Standards Act
• Kronos.com: Increasing Hourly Workforce Productivity Not a One-Size-Fits-All Proposition