Part-time workers are those who work fewer than 35 hours a week, and they represent a talent pool that not enough businesses are choosing from. Indeed, part-time workers can be an excellent addition to any team, but you must ensure they’re the right fit for your needs. 

If you’ve struggled to acquire full-time workers for certain positions, or if you’re interested in the benefits that part-time workers can provide, below is a closer look at why they can be such a great option. 

Part-Time Workers: Who They Are and How to Find Them

Part-time workers are defined by the hours they work and the benefits that those hours earn them. Unlike full-time employees, for whom employers are required to offer healthcare, part-time workers don’t receive health benefits. They have fewer responsibilities, as well, and will generally not move up to managerial positions. 

With that in mind, the part-time workforce tends to consist of people supporting themselves while they go to school, those who have retired but want to remain active, and parents of young children. Others may choose to work part-time out of health reasons or personal preference. 

To find the right people, you can post ads in local colleges as well as job boards that match the appropriate industry. Make sure that you provide a full job description that clearly states you’re looking for part-time workers. 

Benefits of Hiring Part-Time Workers

Part-time workers provide a number of benefits for businesses of any size, such as:

Lower Costs

Part-time workers generally do not get the kind of salaries that full-time employees do. And that means lower payroll taxes for your business. You also don’t have to offer the same benefits that you would to a full-time worker, including healthcare coverage and paid time off. 

Flexibility

Instead of having one full-time worker for a position, having two part-time workers offers much more flexibility. That can be a huge benefit if you work with different time zones and need employees who can be available outside of regular business hours. For example, you might pair a parent who wants to work during school hours and have the afternoons free with a student who needs the mornings off but can work during the afternoon. 

Diversity

By hiring part-time workers, you open the door to people at various stages of life. That, in turn, can work to make your workforce more dynamic and bring new viewpoints to the table.

More Options

There are more part-time workers available than full-time workers, which means you have more options to choose from. As a result, you’re able to select the perfect candidate for a position. 

It’s also easier to hire temporary part-time workers than full-time workers, so if you have seasonal shifts that you want to address, part-time can be the way to go. 

Structuring Workload and Pay for Part-Time Employees

Perhaps one of the more challenging aspects of hiring part-time employees is knowing how to manage such a group of staff. When assigning tasks, some managers prefer to give specific tasks to part-time workers and leave larger projects to full-time staff so that the job can be finished as efficiently as possible. 

Of course, part-timers can still offer plenty to a project. You will, therefore, want to balance what they bring to the table with an understanding that the task at hand may take a bit longer because they’re not available for as many hours. 

You must also be aware of the laws regarding part-time workers, such as your responsibilities in regard to providing time off, training, breaks, and benefits. You need to have a clear pay structure for part-time workers, for instance. The actual structure can vary depending on your business, but it must be consistent and your employees must know what to expect.

Helping Your Business Grow With Part-Time Workers

Part-time employees offer diversity, flexibility, and affordability, which can all help your business take the next step forward. It’s not always easy to know if hiring part-timers is the right choice, however, which is how we at AssetHR can help. 

Our team of human capital management professionals can assess your organization and help you make the best hiring choices for your business and your bottom line. Contact us today to speak with one of our experts.

Posts that the posts are not intended to provide legal advice and that readers should consult with their attorneys on any matter covered in the article.