Although the full-time workday is still the most common in several companies, other modalities have gained evidence and become more and more frequent in the market. Among them is part-time work.
Part-time work today is highly sought after by professionals looking for more flexibility. But it was not always so. A few years ago, the full-time journey that was considered synonymous with dedication to the company and, consequently, the right way to achieve career success. Smaller hours were mainly assigned to operational or junior positions.
Traditional thinking was that part-time work has a shorter workday than conventional work, with a weekly shift of fewer than 40 hours. Professionals can stay in the office between four and six hours a day or take longer shifts. In the latter case, they only work on certain days of the week. There are even companies that allow their employees to spend more time. This is true when demand is high but when they don’t have a lot of work ends up with less time.
Legally, there are no differences between full-time and part-time jobs. All workers’ rights must be guaranteed in both cases. However, because it is a different contract than the traditional one. Professionals are often in doubt as to whether or not they should opt for a part-time job.
Part-time Work: Advantages
Schedule flexibility
One of the main advantages of part-time jobs is the flexibility of hours. This allows professionals to enjoy more free time to dedicate themselves to other commitments.
Decreased stress
The reduced workload makes the worker less exposed to the stressful routine of the shift. This means gains in your quality of life and well-being. In this case, the company also benefits from having a more willing employee.
Increased productivity
According to Cary Cooper, professor and specialist in organizational psychology at Lancaster University, Great Britain, part-time jobs offer flexibility, satisfaction, and productivity. According to him, with a shorter workday, professionals tend to have more motivation and commitment to perform their daily activities.
Additional income
One of the main advantages of having a part-time job is the possibility of obtaining additional income. The professional can use his free time to develop other jobs or dedicate himself to his own business.
Time to specialize
Another advantage of part-time work is that it helps professionals to continue specializing through courses. With shorter hours, they have more willingness and time to devote to their studies.
Experience gain
Part-time jobs offer the opportunity to accumulate experience. This is true especially in the case of interns or recent graduates. They can divide their time working in two different areas and thus acquire knowledge in more than one role.
Work experience for students
Part-time jobs are the best option for students. It gives them the opportunity to earn a little money with which they can pay some of their bills. In addition, they get enough time to focus on their academic work. Having a full-time job and simultaneously trying to reconcile academic work is an almost impossible task for any student. Having a part-time job works very well as it gives students a chance to gain some work experience. It also gives them something to include in their resume.
Advantageous to the elderly and those who have other household responsibilities
Due to unavoidable circumstances, there are a number of capable and brilliant individuals who cannot take full-time jobs. These people mainly include those mothers or fathers who have very young children. Part-time jobs give these individuals the opportunity to work at their own convenience when their child is at school or in one of their extracurricular classes. Part-time jobs work very well for the elderly or even retirees who are physically and mentally unable to work non-stop. Having a part-time job gives them a good opportunity to dress, leave the house, and exercise their brain cells to stay alert.
Less pressure involved
The biggest advantage of having a part-time job is the fact that there is less pressure involved. For those individuals who have anger management problems or are prone to high blood pressure, having a part-time job really helps them to relax. This does not mean that having a part-time job will mean that you have absolutely no work pressure, it simply implies that as you work fewer hours, you are not stressed out during the day.
Focus on other things
Having fewer hours of work implies that you can focus on other important areas of your life that you would not be able to pay attention to if you had a full time. People with full-time jobs often miss important family or social events, as their work pressure does not allow them to participate in these occasions. So, to get the best of both worlds, people take part-time jobs so they don’t miss any important days in the lives of their loved ones.
Disadvantages of Part-time Work
Lowest wages
One of the main disadvantages of part-time jobs is the reduction in wages since the remuneration is proportional to the hours worked. Usually, those who work only one period, receive slightly less than those who work full-time.
Lack of benefits
As part-time employees spend less time at the company, they may not receive additional benefits. This is the case with food stamps or restaurant vouchers, which are not among the legal obligations of the employer.
Lack of time
Time can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on the situation. This is because part-time workers have less time to perform their tasks, especially if their work requires complex and time-consuming activities.
Now that you know the main advantages of part-time work, you can analyze whether or not you accept jobs on this journey! Don’t forget to leave your opinion about this type of work in the comments.
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