Part time vs full time employees: how to make the right choice for your business

For any business owner, an important question is whether to hire a full-time employee or go for a part-time arrangement for a particular role. 

The Covid pandemic showed us that many jobs we thought needed us to be in the office really don’t. Along the same lines, maybe we should rethink the difference between part-time and full-time roles.

Both choices have their own perks and downsides. In this blog post, we’ll explore the differences between part-time and full-time employees so you can make the best decision as a business owner.

Difference between part-time and full-time employment

Full-time work usually means an employee works the regular hours set by the employer – often around 35 to 40 hours per week. Part-time work involves fewer hours, which can vary based on the job and employer. This difference affects things like pay, benefits, and work-life balance for employees.

What really matters for business owners is that part-time vs full-time hours significantly affect the output they can expect from their employees. Since part-time workers put in fewer hours, they obviously can’t get as much done as full-time employees. But there are also some more subtle considerations that we’ll discuss next.

The pros and cons of hiring a full-time employee

Looking at the positive side, full-time employees offer regular schedules that facilitate planning and teamwork, also promoting commitment and loyalty. Yet, this could result in less flexible payroll and heightened stress caused by longer working hours.

Pros

• Easier planning and scheduling: When everyone follows the same full-time schedule, it simplifies coordinating tasks, setting deadlines, and arranging meetings. It makes long-term planning more straightforward and helps maintain a consistent workflow. When everyone is working full time, managers find it easier to predict workloads and allocate resources.

• Better teamwork: Full-time employees often contribute to tighter teamwork. With everyone working regular hours, interactions flow naturally and occur more frequently. This fosters better communication and collaboration among team members. As colleagues spend more time together, they tend to understand each other’s strengths better – which makes for a more efficient and productive team.

• Commitment and loyalty: Full-time roles can cultivate a stronger sense of commitment and loyalty among employees. When they are dedicated to a single organization, employees tend to form a deeper connection with the company’s mission, values, and objectives. This kind of loyalty leads to higher job satisfaction and, over time, results in better employee retention rates and a steadier workforce.

Cons

• Less flexible payroll: With a fixed salary or set weekly hours, your expenses remain steady regardless of fluctuations in business. This means that during slower periods when revenues take a hit, you’re still covering the same payroll. In essence, while full-time employees offer consistent commitment, they might not always be the most cost-effective solution when workloads shrink.

• Heightened stress and burnout risk: The full-time work structure can amplify stress and burnout concerns. Having more work hours often means dealing with bigger workloads, more goals to achieve, and additional deadlines to meet. This can contribute to increased levels of stress – and research shows that higher levels of stress often lead to decreased productivity. So, in certain situations, having full-time employees work more hours can actually result in lower output.

The pros and cons of hiring a part-time employee

Hiring part-time employees comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. It can lead to cost savings, offer flexibility, and provide access to specific skills without breaking the bank. However, part-timers might not bring the same level of commitment due to other priorities, and managing schedules between part-time and full-time staff can be a challenge.

Pros

• Lighter payroll: Going for part-time employees can sometimes be the right financial move. You’ll be spending less on payroll, and if these employees can handle their roles well in their part-time hours, there’s no need to turn those roles into full-time ones. For some businesses, the answer is a lean but efficient workforce.

• Increased flexibility: Having part-time employees gives you flexibility, especially when business slows down, and revenues take a hit. During these times, your payroll costs are lower if you have part-time employees. This setup is great for businesses with seasonal patterns – it helps maintain a steady cash flow during quiet periods and lets you quickly ramp up when demand picks up.

• Necessary skill set at a lower cost: One more advantage of hiring part-time employees is the chance to bring in skills that might be too expensive for a full-time role – especially if you’re a smaller business. For instance, you might need a marketing person, but a full-time salary doesn’t fit your budget. In such a case, going for a part-time position can help you get the right skillset without straining your finances.

Cons

• Less commitment: Some people choose part-time positions due to other responsibilities such as additional jobs, education, or family obligations. In other words, the job might not be their top priority. While that’s understandable, if you’re aiming for a workforce that’s highly motivated and places their career first, these might not be the ideal candidates.

• Scheduling and planning challenges: Handling schedules for part-time employees – especially when mixed with full-time staff – can be difficult. Part-time workers might have different shifts each week or might not be available during certain hours. Managers might find it tricky to accommodate such employees. 

Part-time vs full-time: making  the best decision for your business

We’ve explored the main upsides and downsides of full-time and part-time employment. Now, let’s turn to the most important business considerations that can impact the choice between these two.

Nature of the work

The kind of work needed for a specific role is likely the biggest factor in choosing between full-time and part-time employment. For example, roles that require continuous oversight or real-time decision-making – such as managerial positions – often benefit from a full-time setup. 

For businesses that frequently undertake project-based tasks, hiring part-time employees with specific skills for the duration of a project is often a good choice. Likewise, if your business sees ups and downs in customer demand over the seasons, hiring part-time employees can give you the flexibility to handle busy periods without having too many staff during slower times.

Budget considerations

The financial aspect is also a decisive factor in the full-time vs part-time employment dilemma – especially for businesses working with limited funds. Smaller businesses often have tight budgets, needing to carefully allocate resources across different areas. Opting for full-time employees might overextend their financial capabilities. However, hiring part-time workers for specific tasks allows them to have expertise without breaking the bank.

Company culture

The prevailing company culture can also influence the choice between full-time and part-time employment options. For example, businesses that value real-time collaboration and face-to-face interactions might lean towards full-time employees. This choice ensures that team members are consistently present and fosters better teamwork. 

On the other hand, a more flexible work culture that values individual autonomy and recognizes the diverse personal commitments of employees could be better suited for part-time arrangements.

Part-time vs full-time: it’s all about understanding your business needs

Choosing between full-time and part-time hires is a major call for any business owner. Primarily, this decides how much work that person will handle and what you’ll be paying them. We’ve also seen that things like the role’s nature, company culture, seasonality, and scheduling are key factors to think about. 

In the end, it’s all about knowing what your business really needs and adapting your approach to fit that. Remember, the choice between part-time and full-time is just a single piece of the puzzle – don’t overlook other important factors like the skills, experience, and personality of your potential hires.