Part-time workers' rights (2024)

Part-time workers are protected from being treated less favourably than equivalent full-time workers just because they’re part time.

A part-time worker is someone who works fewer hours than a full-time worker. There is no specific number of hours that makes someone full or part-time, but a full-time worker will usually work 35 hours or more a week.

Part-time workers should get the same treatment for:

  • pay rates (including sick pay, maternity, paternity and adoption leave and pay)
  • pension opportunities and benefits
  • holidays
  • training and career development
  • selection for promotion and transfer, or for redundancy
  • opportunities for career breaks

Some benefits are applied ‘pro rata’ (in proportion to hours worked). For example, if a full-time worker gets a £1,000 Christmas bonus, and a part-time worker works half the number of hours, they should get £500.

Overtime pay - part-time workers may not get overtime pay until they’ve worked over the normal hours of a full-time worker.

When employers can treat part-time workers differently

There are some situations when employers do not have to treat part-time workers in the same way as full-time employees. In these situations the employer must be able to show there is a good reason to do so - this is called ‘objective justification’.

Example

An employer may provide health insurance for full-time employees but not part-timers if this can be objectively justified.

Their reason may be that the costs involved are disproportionate to the benefits part-timers are entitled to.

In this case the employer may come up with an alternative like asking the part-time worker to make a contribution to the extra cost.

If a part-time worker’s been treated less favourably

Part-time workers should first discuss this with their employer or trade union representative.

They have the right to get a written statement of reasons for the treatment from their employer. The request should be in writing and the employer must write back within 21 days.

If the worker is not satisfied that the reason given was objectively justified, they may be able to take a case to an employment tribunal.

Part-time workers' rights (2024)

FAQs

Part-time workers' rights? ›

What regulations do I need to follow with part-time workers? The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) makes no distinction between part-time and full-time employees. This means a part-time employee is still subject to regulations on minimum wage, child labor and record keeping.

What are my rights as a part-time employee in California? ›

Some of these legal rights and protections include: 1 extra hour of pay for minimum wage workers if the employee works a split shift, a minimum wage that is significantly higher than the national minimum, and. paid sick days for part-time workers who have at least 30 days of employment in the calendar year.

What are the laws for part-time employees in Florida? ›

There is no strict definition under Florida part-time laws and Florida statutes for a specific number of hours a person works that would make them a part-time employee. It can average around 20 hours but can be less (or more). As a general rule, anyone working less than 40 hours per week may be considered part-time.

Is 4 hours a day part-time? ›

Working 30 hours or less per week is typically considered part-time. However, part-time workers might work more or fewer hours than this per week overall.

What is considered part-time in Washington state? ›

2 Where do hours of employment come from? Employment can be part-time (31 hours per week or less) or full-time (32 hours per week or more).

Do part-time employees get breaks in California? ›

California Rest Break Requirements

Rest breaks must be paid. If you work at least 3.5 hours in a day, you are entitled to one rest break. If you work over 6 hours, you are entitled to a second rest break. If you work over 10 hours, you are entitled to a third rest break.

Do part-time employees get vacation pay California? ›

California state law does not require employers to give vacation time to part-time workers. Nor is there even a clear definition of how many hours constitute part-time work. If a California employer does provide it, though, the state's labor laws will regulate how it works.

Is working 32 hours considered full-time in Florida? ›

Florida Full Time Employment Defined

Florida full-time employment is defined as an individual working a workweek of 25 hours or more. However, this term is generally reserved for insurance purposes. Many Florida employers classify employees as full-time if they work more than 32 hours per week.

Is it illegal to work 8 hours without a break in Florida? ›

Instead, Florida employers must follow the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regarding scheduling and lengths of shifts. However, the FLSA also doesn't mandate rest or meal breaks, so technically, Florida employees are not legally entitled to a break at work.

How many hours can a part-time employee work without benefits Florida? ›

There's no specific definition of part-time employee under Florida law; however, there is a health care statute that says if you work more than 20 hours a week, you might be eligible for benefits.

How many hours should part-time be a day? ›

Full-time and part-time hours are usually expressed by the week or month, with 40 hours per week being the traditional standard for full-time. Therefore, anyone who consistently works less than eight hours per day could be considered a part-time employee, though it ultimately depends on the employer's policies.

Can I work only 4 hours? ›

Because there are no minimum hours required for a full-time or part-time shift, employers are not required to schedule employees for a minimum of four hours in a workday.

How many hours do you have to work for a 4 day work week? ›

What Is a 4-Day Workweek? A four-day workweek is, ideally, a 32-hour workweek with no loss in productivity, pay, or benefits.

Do part time employees get PTO Washington state? ›

No federal or Washington law requires employers to provide vacation leave. Private employers in Washington are not required to provide paid or unpaid vacation.

Can an employer change your schedule without notice Washington state? ›

For most employees, there are no state requirements regulating how and when they are scheduled. An employer has the right to change an employee's schedule at any time, with or without notice. Employers are not required to give weekends or holidays off and can schedule mandatory overtime.

Can I work 6 hours without a lunch break in Washington state? ›

All workers must receive a meal period of at least 30 minutes for every 5 hours worked. If they work more than 11 hours in a day, then they must receive an additional meal period of at least 30 minutes.

Can I get Covered California if I work part-time? ›

Not all FTE employees may be eligible for coverage with Covered California for Small Business. Employees who are eligible for coverage include: Full-time employees (those who work 30 or more hours per week). Part-time employees (those who work 20-29 hours per week) at the employer's discretion.

Do part-time workers get sick hours in California? ›

Does paid sick leave apply to all employees who work in California? All employees who work at least 30 days for the same employer within a year in California, including part-time, per diem, and temporary employees, are covered by this new law with some specific exceptions.

Can part-time employees file for unemployment in California? ›

California Partial Unemployment Benefits

Whether you were laid off and do occasional odd jobs or you are still employed at reduced pay and hours, you can collect benefits if you meet the above requirements. The employer must complete a "Notice of Reduced Earnings" form, and the employee must fill out part of the form.

How many days in a row can you work in California part-time? ›

A key question you might ask is, How many days in a row can you work in CA? In general, every worker should have days of rest. California law normally prohibits an employer from requiring you to work more than six out of seven days.

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