A part-time worker is any employee who works fewer hours than a full-time worker, which is usually around 35 hours per week. Part-time workers are protected from being discriminated against when compared with a full time colleague. This means that part-time workers are entitled to the same treatment in most areas, including;
- Pay, including basic pay, bonuses, sick pay, maternity pay
- Pension opportunities and benefits,
- Holidays and career breaks,
- Training and career development,
- Consideration for promotion, transfer and redundancy.
Exceptions to this include pro-rata benefits, which are allocated in proportion to the hours an employee works. There are some other instances whereby differential treatment will be permitted however the employer will be required to provide a valid explanation as to the reason for the differential. An example of this would be provision of health-insurance to full time employees but not providing similar for a part time worker who only works 4 hours per week. In these circumstances, the employer is likely to be able to show that the costs of the benefit are disproportionate to the employee’s entitlement.
What Can You Do?
If you are being treated unfavourably because you are a part-time worker, you should seek professional legal advice. After an informal discussion with a legal expert, you may choose to lodge a grievance with your employer, who is obliged to give you a written statement of their reasons for unfavourable treatment within 21 days. If you are unsatisfied with this statement, you may then choose to bring a claim for compensation to an employment tribunal.
How We Can Help
Paul Doran Law specialise in all aspects of employment law. We offer free initial consultations to all prospective clients, during which we can advise you with the prospects of your case. If you choose to take your case forward, we can assist you through all stages of the legal process, including drafting a grievance, and advocacy at a tribunal. We will also minimise potential stress during the legal process, by ensuring that your case is personally dealt with by an experienced legal professional.
We have a number of options regarding funding a case (see here) and have also arranged an insurance policy which will protect you against the risk of having to pay Tribunal fees should your case be lost.
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Make an Enquiry Now
To make a free enquiry based on any of the issues raised on this page call us on 0808 168 7288, or complete an Online Enquiry.
We will also discuss the best methods of funding your case and seek to reach a solution that best suits your needs. This can involve a 2no-win, no-fe2e agreement if appropriate.