Since there is no legally binding definition of “part-time” work at the federal level, individual companies are allowed to establish their own standards. This is the correct method for handling benefits for seasonal employees.
Do benefits apply to those who work part-time?
Half-time workers have more freedom in their schedules than full-time employees. Although working part-time allows for reduced hours and more freedom, the federal government’s definitions of full-time and part-time work may be ambiguous. Since there are so many factors that are specific to each company, the term of “part-time work” may imply something quite different to each employer. So how many hours can a part-time employee work without benefits?
Working less than 30 hours in a given week is often acknowledged as being part-time; however, there is no universally recognised norm and no legally set rule to follow. The Affordable Care Act and the current workforce’s adoption of more non-traditional employment practises have created a great deal of ambiguity in regards to part-time employees and what it means for organisations. Both of these causes have contributed to the current chaos.
Temporary staff
According to the United States Department of Labour, there is no distinction between full-time and part-time employment for purposes of the Fair Labour Standards Act (FLSA). The burden of making a decision on this matter often falls on the employer. Employers may choose from a wide variety of worker types when filling positions. The availability of a wide variety of each sort may allow your organisation to save costs (such as those related with employee perks) while improving output.
Depending on the demands of your current position, you may find that working less hours might allow you to better balance your professional and personal commitments. Working part-time, for instance, might lessen the financial strain of childcare while allowing you to spend more time with your child. It’s also a great option for individuals who are furthering their education at the graduate level, and for those aspiring brewmasters who just need a little more time in the attic to get their ginger-cranberry sour just right.
Despite the common misconception that part-time work is only available in the service sector, student jobs, and related fields, many large companies really provide a wide variety of part-time opportunities. It’s generally accepted that the number of hours worked each week determines whether or not a job is considered part-time or full-time, but the issue still remains, “Where exactly is the cutoff point?”
How many hours a week do you need to work to be considered “part-time”?
Although there is no universally agreed-upon definition of “part-time,” the term is often used to refer to someone who works less hours per week than a full-time employee. Jobs that need 30–40 hours per week are often considered full-time. Part-time employees may only put in 20 hours a week, but that figure might be closer to 30 hours in other fields.
A person is considered “part-time” if they have an agreement with their employer that specifies that they are “part-time.” For the sake of clarity and consistency, it is essential that this agreement define what “part-time” means in the context of the company.
Conclusion
For example, a part-time worker at Starbucks may put in anything from 12 to 30 hours per week (with the average being closer to 25 hours) depending on their schedule and needs. Obviously, the time obligations and availability of both parties will affect this total.
