Part-time work

What it means

Part-time work is agreed in the employment contract at fewer hours than the standard weekly working time, for example 20 hours a week instead of 40. It is also called a part-time or half-time position.

Pay reflects the shorter time, so it is reduced pro rata. The employee nevertheless has the same rights as a full-time colleague: leave for the same number of weeks, meal provision, supplements and protection against dismissal, under the equal treatment principle.

Part-time hours can be agreed from the start or later by amending the contract. The employee may ask for the change, for example when caring for a child after parental leave, and for certain groups the employer must agree unless serious operational reasons prevent it.

How it works in practice

The minimum wage for part-time work is set pro rata by hours, as are the minimum wage entitlements. Contributions are calculated on actual pay with no minimum assessment base, which is one difference from sole traders.

Companies use part-time work when they need someone regularly but not all day, or as an alternative to a work agreement such as a work activity agreement. Employment gives the employee more security and the employer a more stable worker, while contributions are similar.

Several part-time people can fill one shared position. For pensioners and students part-time work is a common arrangement, and their special contribution rules need to be set up correctly.

What to watch out for

Work beyond the agreed part-time hours is not overtime attracting a supplement until it exceeds the standard weekly working time, but the employer cannot impose it unilaterally. If more hours are worked regularly, the contract should be changed, otherwise pay and records drift away from reality.

Working part-time for several employers at once means more certificates and an annual reconciliation through a tax return. During the year the employee can claim the personal allowance and child tax credit with only one employer, so it is worth agreeing with whom they sign the declaration.