This is why many students and parents choose to work part-time jobs, so they can focus more on other things like their studies or their families. They give so much attention to performing at their best while at work, they might not have the energy or the time to relax, unwind, or finish personal tasks after work. It’s important to note that benefits vary from employer to employer, and some are even moving toward offering their part-time employees the same benefits as their full-time employees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics sets the benchmark for full-time employees a little higher, at 35 hours a week, but this isn’t law. Because they are responsible for determining their work hours and have the power to decline or accept work, none of the rules regarding employment status apply. When your full-time employees can’t balance their work life and their personal life, they start themselves down the slippery slope that leads to burnout. Are you required to pay full-time and part-time employees for overtime hours? Most of us think of a full-time job as one we work from nine to five, Monday through Friday. That said, there are some generally agreed upon standards relating to the difference between full-time and part-time work. This quickly became the standard for defining a part-time vs. full-time work schedule. In either case, employers are not required to provide full-time benefits, regardless of hours worked, until an employee's status changes. Similarly, avoid making all men part-time employees and all women full-time employees (or vice versa). If they don’t seem to be improving, schedule a performance review and give them goals to strive for. Part-time employees are always paid by the hour. This number is important, because it tells you how many hours you're guaranteed on a weekly basis. Those who work a 40-hour workweek (or other full-time equivalent) can, in many cases, start and finish a project in a single day or a single week. Knowledge gaps and lack of experience also lead to inconsistent work. Some employers offer their full-time employees retirement options such as a 401(k) plan (sometimes with a company match), as well as other company-specific perks such as reimbursements for childcare, a fitness membership, an education stipend and stock options. Fewer hours on the job means less experience and, in many cases, knowledge gaps that can have a negative effect on the work the employee does. Because of this flexibility, part-time work schedules are better for those going to school or for those who have another part-time job. This is not usually something that can be negotiated with an employer. An exempt employee is paid on a salary basis, makes at least $35,568 per year, and has higher levels of work responsibilities. Her first hourly job was as a cashier at Chick-fil-a. On-the-job training and performance appraisals can make up for these gaps, but it will take the part-time employee much longer to exhibit the proficiency of a full-time employee. With a thorough knowledge of how your business works, you’ll be able to identify the right amount of part-time vs. full-time employees to hire to keep things running smoothly. Full-time employees can also be paid by the hour, but they are sometimes instead paid a flat salary regardless of the hours worked in a week. A full-time job may also be the preferred choice if you hold a college degree or want a longer-term career with more opportunities for advancement. We use cookies to ensure the best experience on our website. Most businesses offer their full-time employees a compensation package that includes the above options as well as reimbursements for childcare, education, and fitness. Now that you understand the definition of part-time vs. full-time work, we’ll investigate what makes the two so different. "Sling allowed Union Square Hospitality Group to schedule smarter instead of harder." She's also been quoted as a career expert in many newspapers and magazines, including Cosmopolitan and Parade. Working Part-Time Versus Full Time . A full-time employee who is paid by the hour is referred to as “nonexempt,” while those who are salaried are referred to as “exempt.” The difference between nonexempt and exempt employees is that nonexempt employees are paid overtime (1.5 times their hourly wage) for any time worked over 40 hours per week. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which is the major employment law in the US, doesn’t provide a clear definition for part-time or full-time jobs. Part-time jobs may also be available seasonally, especially during peak periods like summer vacation or the holidays. College students can also find part-time jobs that are aligned with their major, but do not require them to have their degree in hand. As an employer, you are required to withhold income taxes and Federal Contributions Insurance Act (FICA) taxes from every employee. According to the federal government, an exempt employee is one that meets the following criteria: Exempt employees do not qualify for overtime. More specifically, what should you expect about pay, hours, schedule and benefits? Review it with long-time employees during a staff meeting and with new hires during the onboarding process. It doesn’t matter if you hire all part-time employees, all full-time employees, or a mix of the two, you’ll onboard them in exactly the same way. “Benefits” is the catchall term used to describe parts of a compensation package that you receive from an employer, in addition to a regular paycheck. Snagajob posts new positions every day, including online part-time jobs, part-time jobs for students, and part-time jobs from home. When accepting a new job, whether it’s part-time or full-time, it's important for you to understand exactly what you're being offered as part of your benefits package. It just means that if they do, they are entitled to overtime. As a full-time employee, most employers will require you to be available most, if not all, of the week.