Part Time Employment Contracts

Less hours, but no less rights

A part-time employee typically works fewer hours than the employer's usual full-time amount, which is usually approximately 35 hours a week.

Often, part-time workers will have dependents or other responsibilities outside of work that restrain their amount of available work time. There are many other reasons for part-time employment, i.e. a gradual re-introduction to work life after long-term sickness, a lengthy commute, or even a simple choice to preserve an alternative work/life balance.

Term-time working

Many parents or carers find term-time working an excellent way to balance their working life with their family life. Provisions include reducing hours or taking time off during school holidays. This way of working enforces a structure that is productive for both the employee and employer, giving the employee the required time off whilst allowing the employer to prepare far in advance for covering absence.

Employment rights

The same employment rights apply to part-time workers as those that apply to full-time workers, regardless of the hours worked. This includes the right to: 

• be paid equally to full-time employees
• attend any meetings or training days
• claim holiday entitlement pro rata to the same effect as any full-time workers
• be entitled to the same opportunities as any full-time employee regarding a career break, contractual and or family/dependent leave
• not be considered expendable if cutbacks and redundancy measures are introduced

Regardless of contractual hours, full- or part-time, an employer must seek consultation with staff before changing any hourly agreement that is in place. If an employer tries to force an employee to amend their hours to full time to meet demand, they could be in breach of indirect sex discrimination or another facet of employment law.