The type of employment affects not only the number of hours worked per week but also the list of benefits an employee receives by accepting a full-time or part-time job. Let’s delve into the details and explore the differences between these types of employment, all the pros and cons, as well as consider the best option for you.
What is classed as full-time?
A full-time employee works the total hours of the week. Under UK law, a full-time work week is at least 35 hours. Full-time jobs usually hire people who have a certain amount of education, industry experience, and knowledge needed by the company. The most common full-time jobs are for people who work in human resources, software development, or financial analysts.
Typically, the workweek is 40 hours; the maximum allowable hours of work for a full-time employee is 48 hours per week. But there are positions where the workweek may exceed these hours:
- positions in which staff must work around the clock;
- a domestic worker in a private residence;
- fisherman on a sea or river vessel;
- work under guard and supervision;
- police, emergency service, military;
- freelancer, company manager.
What is working part-time?
A part-time employee works fewer hours than a full-time employee. When it is customary for a company to work 40 hours a week, anyone who works fewer hours is a part-time employee. Each company sets its hours for the part-time employee and develops a schedule for them.
Part-time jobs usually employ students, retirees, people with no qualifications, and those who already have a main job and are looking for part-time work. These people work for the company full-time, but fewer hours than full-time staff. The employer pays all required taxes for them monthly. It distinguishes part-time workers from independent contractors who perform work for the company occasionally.
Part-time vs full-time: number of hours, pay, schedules
The main difference between full-time and part-time is the number of hours employees work during the week. A full-time employee typically needs to work 35 to 40 hours per week, divided into five days, i.e. 8 hours per day. A part-time employee has a rough work week. He can go on short or night shifts and work on weekends.
The difference between full-time and part-time employment is also in pay. Part-time employees are usually paid by the hour, while full-time employees can be produced by the hour and a fixed monthly wage. If a full-time employee is paid 300 pounds per week for 40 hours worked, their pay will stay the same if they work more. On the other hand, a part-time employee earning £10 an hour can earn both £300 by working 10 hours and £600 by working 20 hours.
A full-time employee must work the 40 hours per week required by his schedule. Thus, the schedule lacks the flexibility inherent in a part-time employee’s schedule. A part-time employee may work 4 hours a day one week and 6 hours a day the next. Depending on the nature of the business, they may also be involved in night shifts or alternate between day and night shifts. When the business is seasonal, the company may increase or decrease the number of hours worked by a part-time employee, while in a full-time business, the number of hours worked is always the same.
Advantages of working full-time hours
A full-time employee is guaranteed company benefits, health insurance, vacation time, and a fixed salary. A part-time employee could also qualify for these guaranteed benefits, but in proportion to the hours worked. Employers try to find various loopholes to deny a part-time employee the right to health insurance and other benefits. To avoid providing part-time employees with bonuses, employers look for evidence that, for example, the cost of health insurance for part-time employees is not covered by the services they perform.
Employees who have a fixed salary with full-time employment feel financially secure. Having a fixed income makes it much easier to budget, save, and plan your purchases.
Full-time employment gives the employee confidence in his future because he is guaranteed a job. Even when full-time and part-time employees receive the same benefits from the company, the former is more morally stable and more likely to be more confident about being hired for the long term. It is equally easy for an employer to relieve an employee with any employment. Employment type is not a criterion in selecting an employee to be laid off.
Nice perks for full-time employees are reimbursement for childcare, fitness club memberships, education stipends or company stock. For older employees, special retirement programs are an essential perk of full-time employment. The list of bonuses and terms of their provision is developed individually by each company.
Benefits of working part-time
The main advantage of working part-time is the flexibility of the working hours and a lot of free time available. Working less than 8 hours a day, or 40 hours a week, an employee has a lot of extra time to take care of personal matters and work on projects. They can pursue additional education or certification with the company for a promotion. Free time can also be spent on their needs, such as playing sports, reading books or spending time with family members. That is why people who are family-oriented rather than career-oriented are more likely to choose part-time jobs. Part-time jobs are suitable for young mothers who can earn money and not have to take time away from childcare for long periods. It is an excellent option for students combining school and work, as well as those who need to care for elderly or sick relatives.
Another advantage of part-time employment is that the employee can earn more. A full-time employee has a fixed rate, which won’t increase if they overwork. And a part-time employee can take another job and earn more in total than a full-time employee for the same number of hours.
While for full-time jobs, in most cases, companies are looking for people with a college degree, part-time jobs have more lenient educational requirements. Some part-time jobs do not require the applicant to have a degree.
