Understanding part-time employment

Part-time and casual employment have become important parts of the modern workforce. They offer opportunities for many individuals looking for a better work-life balance. In recent years, the 9-to-5 traditional work structure has experienced significant changes. ​This has made ​​p​art-time employment become popular across a range of industries.  

In this article, you'll learn about part-time work, its benefits, and its nuances. You'll also discover the differences between part-time vs casual employment. Here's what the article will cover:  

• What is part-time employment? 
• Benefits of part-time employment 
• Part-time employment vs. casual employment 
• Employment regulations and protections 
• Types of part-time jobs 
• Conclusion 
• FAQs 

What is part-time employment? 

The International Labor Organization states part-time employment definition as a job that offers fewer hours than the standard full-time work schedule. It doesn't include roles with temporarily reduced work hours  

Part-time hours vary across industries and companies. Part-time employees work less than 30 hours per week (some companies offer 35 hours per week). There are also no part-time minimum hours required. This arrangement caters to job seekers looking for alternatives to the usual 40-hour workweek. There are two acceptable forms of part-time employment: four hours of work per day and a full two days of work per week.  

As a part-time employee, you can receive holiday compensation. The part-time holiday pay is on a case-to-case basis. If it's a non-working holiday, your pay may depend on your regular wage pay, your basic part-time minimum wage on the last working day before the regular holiday, or your basic wage average for the last seven working days. If you worked on a holiday, you may receive a percentage of your wage for the day on top of what you expect to earn. 

Benefits of part-time employment 

If you're wondering if part-time employment will work for you, here is a list of benefits to help you decide:  

• Better work-life balance: As a part-time employee, you'll have more personal time for other activities, such as going to the gym or spending time with family and friends. 
• Flexible work hours: A part-time job allows you to better manage your time for doing daily chores or taking care of your family.  
• ​​Gain ​experience and skill development: Working part-time gives you flexibility to pursue further studies or learn new skills for career growth.  
• Higher earning potential: You can have more than one part-time job and improve your financial stability.  

Part-time employment vs. casual employment 

If you've just joined the workforce, you're probably wondering how part-time and casual employment differ. Generally, there are four types of employment: part-time, full-time, casual, and temporary. This section shares some insights on casual employment and what makes it different from part-time employment. 

Casual employees help meet staffing needs for businesses during big projects or peak periods. They may have an irregular work schedule with no guaranteed work hours or fewer hours per week. They may not have paid sick leave entitlements or enjoy security in tenure. 

Casual employees may get higher hourly pay rates compared to part-time or full-time employees. A casual employee can be a long-term or irregular employee. Long-term casual employees are also referred to as regular casual employees. They have regular working hours each week and ongoing work.  

The usual characteristics of part-time employment include working no more than 35 hours per week and with a set number of hours and days. It's also a form of ongoing or permanent employment. Part-time employment also offers paid leave. These include part-time sick leave, annual leave, and parental leave. There may also be paid holidays and paid notice upon termination. 

The main difference between part-time and casual employment is that part-time employees can expect ongoing work. Part-time employment guarantees set days or hours per week.  

Part-time workers have the security of tenure and the right to receive notice of termination, while casual employees do not. Some companies may indicate notice periods in their contract. Employers can terminate casual employees as long as the reason is not discriminatory or against an employee exercising their rights. Some examples are poor performance, misconduct, or business requirements.  

Employment regulations and protections 

While some part-time workers have basic knowledge of the labor law, others still don't know their employee rights. The ​Explanatory Bulletin from the Department of Labor and Employment, dated January 2, 1996, discusses the rights of part-time employees.  

Wages and statutory monetary benefits  

Generally, the eight-hour workday schedule is the basis for Labor Code benefits, but employers may “proportionately decrease” the daily compensation and other benefits as mandated by law.  

Part-time workers enjoy the security of tenure. Employers cannot end your part-time employment without undergoing due process. Illegal dismissals occur when an employer fails to do so.  

• Regularization: As a part-time worker, you have a regular employment status despite working fewer than eight hours a day. Your length of employment time determines your status, not your daily working hours. 
• Probationary employment: Employers may extend the mandated six-month period to complete the total number of hours of work required for full-time workers. 
• Overtime pay: Part-time workers have a legal entitlement to overtime pay for work above eight hours per day.  
• Service Incentive Leave (SIL): All part-time and full-time workers with at least a year of service get five days of paid SIL.  

Types of part-time jobs 

Part-time workers include students, retirees, and other individuals who can't commit to a full-time position. Some people may also juggle two or more part-time jobs rather than having a full-time job at one company.  

Depending on the company's structure, part-time employment may lead to full-time work. ​A part-time position is a good entryway into the company you prefer. Working part time also allows you​ to gain the experience you need to apply for full-time employment.  

Part-time employment is available across different roles. The most common sectors are retail and hospitality; however, most industries employ part-time workers to support their staffing needs.  

Some job positions ideal for part-time employment include:  

Fitness instructor 

Fitness instructors work with individuals or groups of different ages to help them reach their fitness goals or develop their strength. Depending on your experience and certifications, you can teach different fitness programs, such as dance classes, yoga, or Pilates.  

Insurance agent 

Insurance agents sell insurance policies​ such as health, home, or car insurance to prospective clients. They must talk to many different people and identify​ their coverage needs.  

Administrative assistant 

As an administrative assistant, you may handle tasks such as managing calendars, answering phone calls, scheduling meetings, and completing other clerical work.  

Accountant 

Part-time accountants may work for companies or individuals. Responsibilities may include preparing, reviewing, and filing financial documents or maintaining and organizing tax records.  

Tutor 

As a tutor, you can help students with their schoolwork or projects. Tutors don't usually need formal accreditation like teachers, but you'll need basic knowledge of the subject you'll be teaching.  

Computer technician 

If you're good with computers, a part-time tech support role may be a good option. You can offer valuable support on different kinds of computer-related issues.  

Conclusion 

A part-time employee works for no more than 35 hours per week. ​As ​​p​art-time employment offers more flexibility, it allows you to pursue other jobs for additional income, spend more time with your family, or pursue other activities. Unlike casual employment, part-time roles ensure ​better ​job security despite working fewer hours a week than a full-time schedule.  

If you're joining the workforce for the first time, it's best to weigh your options. When considering your employment type, work out your career goals to help you choose which path to take. 

FAQs 

1. Is part-time work suitable for my career goals? 
   ⁠Possibly. If you want to have more flexibility to pursue other commitments, part-time employment could be a good way to meet your career goals. Part-time employment allows you to expand and develop your network, build skills, and gain experience while enjoying a good work-life balance.  
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2. Can part-time work lead to full-time opportunities within the same company? 
   ⁠Yes, part-time employment can lead to full-time employment within the same company. Many employers opt to fill vacancies internally instead of hiring new people.  
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3. What are some strategies for finding part-time job opportunities? 
   ⁠One of the most important strategies is to find your niche and explore sectors that may offer part-time employment opportunities. These sectors include retail, business project outsourcing, healthcare, hospitality, and education. Build an online portfolio or create a good “About Me” page showcasing your skills and experience. Add your resumé so that potential employers can easily view your skills and reach out. Expand your network, whether online or offline.  
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4. What are the challenges or potential downsides of part-time employment? 
   ⁠Some of the potential disadvantages of part-time employment include potentially lower earnings compared to full-time employment, irregular or changing schedules, and inconsistent routines. Part-time employees may also have limited access to employee benefits such as healthcare and fewer opportunities for immediate career growth.