Many people still believe that part time workers are or can be treated less favourably when it comes to legal rights and benefits compared to full time employees.
There are false beliefs that employers have the right to limit opportunities and benefits of part time employees on the basis they work contractually less hours than full time workers. These include some of the following myths:
All the above are of course untrue and employers should be aware that part time employees are entitled to the same fair treatment as full time workers.
In relation to the issue of pay, the law makes it clear that both part-time and full-time workers should be paid the same rate of pay and failure to justify a reason for lower pay can be classed as discrimination.
To summarise part timers should enjoy the same statutory rights as comparable full-time employees and unless employers can objectively justify a difference on business grounds, they are entitled to the same pay and benefits (on a pro rata basis). Failure to treat part timers in this way could amount to discrimination and lead to a complaint to the Industrial Tribunal.
Employment, company & commercial