It’s common to use a combination of part-time and full-time employees to meet the growing demands of your business. But when it comes to hiring part-time vs. full-time employees, there are a few differences you want to consider.
[Read more: 10 Legal Requirements for Hiring Employees]
Scheduling
One of the benefits of hiring part-time employees is that doing so provides flexibility in your scheduling. If your scheduling needs fluctuate, part-time employees can help you ramp up when business picks up and scale back when things slow down.
However, it may be a challenge to find and retain loyal employees when you can’t provide them with consistent work schedules. It’s also hard to help employees become truly skilled at their job if they only work here and there.
In comparison, hiring full-time employees makes it easier to create a consistent schedule, and you’ll likely see higher productivity among your employees. With this, full-time employees may be more likely to remain loyal to your business.
There’s always the risk of over-staffing your business, and you’ll have more attendance and performance issues to manage.
Salaried employees are exempt from the FSLA’s overtime provisions, while non-salaried employees will receive overtime pay for working more than 40 hours per week.
Pay
Part-time employees are typically paid by the hour and are responsible for clocking in and out at the beginning and end of their shifts. Full-time employees may get paid hourly or receive a flat salary.
A full-time employee who gets paid hourly is considered “non-exempt,” and salaried employees are considered “exempt.” That means salaried employees are exempt from the FSLA’s overtime provisions, while non-salaried employees will receive overtime pay for working more than 40 hours per week.
Job sharing
If you’re not ready to commit to hiring full-time employees just yet, job sharing is another option. This practice involves hiring two part-time employees to complete one job position.
These individuals can work together to complete the work, or they may never see one another. This arrangement can be beneficial for small businesses or anyone having difficulty finding the right full-time employee.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, job sharing can increase morale and productivity. But for this arrangement to work, both employees have to handle their job responsibilities efficiently.
Onboarding
Onboarding is an essential aspect of bringing on new employees, but this doesn’t necessarily look the same for part-time and full-time employees. Be careful not to overwhelm part-time employees with too much information in the beginning.
Since they spend a lot less time on the job, they also have less time to absorb the information you’re giving them. To help prepare your part-time employees, it can be helpful to engage in “pre-boarding.”
This looks like having their jobs set up ready before they begin working, sending welcome kits so they know what to expect, and having them complete all paperwork before their start dates.
It’s also important to make sure part-time employees feel like they are just as much a part of the company as full-time employees. Give all your employees opportunities to interact with and get to know their co-workers.
And you may also consider pairing part-time employees with a more seasoned co-worker for mentorship opportunities. This gives new employees the chance to connect with someone they can feel comfortable asking questions to over those first 90 days.
[Read more: 6 Training Platforms to Facilitate Employee Development]
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
Follow us on Instagram for more expert tips & business owners’ stories.
To stay on top of all the news impacting your small business, go here for all of our latest small business news and updates.
CO—is committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business. Learn more about the benefits of small business membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, here.
