Although at first glance it may seem as if the only defining difference between full and part time work is the number of their respective hours, (these being less than the 35 hours that make up a full-timer's working week). There are however a range of benefits and limitations within both job descriptions.

Though some of the benefits and pitfalls of both types of work are detailed, there are some otherwise ‘indirect' considerations to make when determining how you wish to work. For example, if you are looking to acquire a mortgage, and even if you are looking to start applying for a second mortgage for your property, lenders will look at you differently depending on the nature of your work.  

What are the benefits of part-time work?

Part time work, whilst restricted in hours, has a wealth of benefits for potential part-time workers and employers of such workers to explore. Some of the main beneficial features being those detailed below:

  • Free time - one main benefit of those under part-time employment is the gift of time, giving workers more time on their hands to put into the pursuit goals or other parts of their life outside their working environment. Such goals and personal aspects including obtaining academic qualifications, starting up businesses or other professional ventures unrelated to the part-time work, and/or taking care of and spending time with loved ones.
  • Flexible Shifts - many part time workers undertake work which entails (at least some degree of) shift work, such as courier or security guard positions (Source: Secure Site UK). By undertaking shift work on a part time basis, the worker may perfectly balance their work-life balance, with an even greater degree of flexibility as to when they work.
  • Loyal and increased workforce - employers can benefit from the flexible and personalised hours of their employees in many ways. One of these being the growth in number of potential employees by offering work schedules that complement the personal lives of workers. This increases popularity of the job description within a company, offering a higher yield of applicants and further a more loyal workforce with the subsequent increased rate of employee satisfaction.
  • Cost effective for employee - although with reduced hours typically comes hand in hand with reduced income, there are certain financial benefits in which those in part-time employment can often profit from. One example of such benefits would be that workers might have eligibility to apply for payments from the government in order to further their financial support. Another example to reduced hours is also the fact that the first £11,850 of a worker's income per annum is tax free, resulting in little to no tax money taken off of the typical part-timer's income.
  • Cost effective for employer - part-timers can be incredibly cost-effective for areas of a company that does not yet require full-timers, preventing unnecessary financial costs that a full-time worker would bring by having to give, and further pay for, a set number of hours work in the company.
  • Less stress - a significant number of full-timers have been shown through various studies to feel over-worked and stressed from the pressures that commonly come with full-time work. This however, is not so much of an issue for part-time workers, whose flexible reduced working hours allows time to recharge and destress from the standard work-life struggles. This also improves employee morale in a workplace, therefore not only benefiting the mental and physical health of the part-time worker, but also the atmosphere and productivity of a company's working environment.

What are the benefits of full-time work?

Although part-time work does have its numerous qualities benefitting not only the employee but also the employer, there are also an abundance of benefits to be reaped from full-time work, including those listed below:

  • Paid time off - one benefit that full-time work has over part-time would be both the holiday and sick pay all full-time employees are legally entitled to. Typical employees are eligible for at least 28 days paid annual leave in addition to up to 28 weeks of £92.05 per week Statutory Sick Pay. This benefit is far less likely to be given to part-time workers, and is therefore a massive benefit for working full-time.
  • More room for progression - a significant benefit of full-time employment is that your employer may regard you more so as a long-term investment in comparison to part-timers. Therefore, full-time workers will have a higher chance of being selected for promotions thus leading to more opportunity for career development and advancement.
  • Routine - although as previously mentioned there are disadvantages to being stuck in a 9-5-week routine, with stress impacting on both a mental and physical level, there are counteracting benefits to this fixed schedule that full time employment provides. Having a fixed schedule means full-timers can make plans outside of working life without the worry of having a shift suddenly changed, giving employees a sense of stability and further security that is not typically found in part-time work.
  • Insurance Benefits - full-timers of a large company are often provided with insurance benefits courtesy of the company, covering such aspects as health, life disability and accidental death in addition to often coming with coverage for an employee's immediate family. This benefit is rarely, if ever, found in part-time employment, and is therefore a significant and unique benefit exclusive to full-time workers.
  • Secure salary - one massive, albeit overt, advantage full-timers have over part-time work would be the fixed salary those under full time employment will usually get. This consistency in monthly income provides a stability and further sense of security for full-timers, able to plan out their finances well in advance and reducing the stress and anxiety of not knowing whether they'll make enough to pay the utility bill.

Overall, both full and part-time work have unique advantages to help them through their working lives. When deciding whether to go full or part time, although both have their own distinct advantages, it is important to consider both types of employment and furthermore which type will suit you best, ensuring an overall higher workers satisfaction.