Page 259 - DMGT551_RETAIL_BUSINESS_ENVIRONMENT

Retail Business Environment

Notes Quality part time work is work in which employees are part of the regular workforce, and have
access to training, development and promotional opportunities. Part time employees should be
seen as valuable contributors, and provided with work that is meaningful and satisfying.
Many employees do not want to work full time, due to family responsibilities, study
commitments, the desire for extra leisure time, or as part of a phased retirement plan.

When request for part time work is received, managers should thoroughly consider the request
and examine ways in which the request could be accommodated. Being creative and flexible is
important. If it is not possible to meet the request exactly as made by the employee, discuss the
issue and try to develop an alternative arrangement that suits everyone. Establishing a job
sharing arrangement may be a solution if the job needs to be filled on a full time basis. Job
sharing is the sharing of one job by two or more employees who work on a part time basis.
If a request is to be refused it should only be on the basis that the job cannot be undertaken on a
part time or job share basis, and there must be significant and clear business reasons why full
time employment is a reasonable requirement for a particular role. Any decisions made regarding
approval of part time work should be documented in writing and a copy provided to the
relevant employee. Particularly if a request for part time work is denied, the employees must be
provided with the reasons in writing.
In many organizations, one differentiation between full time and part time employees is eligibility
for benefits such as health insurance, Paid Time Off (PTO), paid vacation days, and sick leave.
Some organizations enable part time employees to collect a prorated set of benefits. In other
organizations, part time status makes an employee ineligible for any benefits. Part time
employees are benefitting from employers’ willingness to consider work schedule options such
as flexible schedules and job sharing.
One of the keys to successful part time work is acceptance within the workplace for such
arrangements. Employees who choose to work part time must continue to be seen by managers
and colleagues as a part of the regular workforce. This means part time employees must
continue to be included in team meetings where possible, social activities, and communication
and consultation processes.
Ongoing training and career development is just as important for part time staff as any other
employees, and all part time employees should be considered as valuable contributors who are
eligible for promotion where appropriate.

How to Implement Part Time Work?

Work allocation: In a part time position work needs to be allocated so that it can be done within
the hours the employee is at work. When a position changes from full time to part time, the
workload of the job needs to be assessed, and some functions responsibilities or projects
reallocated.
Work schedules: A work schedule for part time employees should be developed and agreed.
This provides employees and the organisation will a clear outline of when the employees will
be at work. In organisations where flexible work arrangements, particularly flexible hours, are
available to full time staff, these should be made available to part time employees.

Communication: Ensuring part time employees are kept informed of all relevant information is
essential. Communication can be through written notes, emails or the phone.
Conditions of employment: Part time employees are entitled to pro rate pay and conditions
based on the number of hours worked. Part timers are eligible to be paid for any sick leave or
annual leave taken on a day they would normally have worked, or if a normal work day is a
public holiday.

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