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Part-Time Work

The Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000 introduced new rights for part-time workers. The regulations ensure that part-time workers are not treated less favourably in their contractual terms and conditions than comparable full-timers unless it is objectively justified.

This means part-timers are entitled, for example, to:

• the same hourly rate of pay,
• the same access to company pension schemes,
• the same entitlements to annual leave and maternity/parental leave on a pro rata basis,
• the same entitlement to contractual sick pay, and
• no less favourable treatment in access to training.

Two amendments to the Regulations came into force on 1 October 2002. These cover Comparators (Regulation 2) and Access to Occupational Pension Scheme (Regulation 8(8)).

If you are an employer you may also wish to visit the Business Link website, which provides practical advice for business.

If you are an employee please refer to the Directgov website which has information on all employment rights including work and families.

If you require further help Acas produce a number of useful guidance publications for both employers and employees.  Acas also operate a helpline to answer employment questions: 08457 47 47 47 (open from 08.00 – 18.00 Monday to Friday).

Links to these and other useful sources of information and guidance can be found on the right hand side of this page.