With firms rapidly recruiting more part-time employees and fewer full-time employees, many people are exploring the practicality of part-time work.
However, aside from the obvious financial implications, there are many other benefits and drawbacks to consider when deciding whether the part-time working paradigm is right for you.
More time to work on other projects and activities
The increased leisure time to pursue extracurricular activities is arguably the most significant benefit of working part-time. In addition, part-time employment may act as a stepping stone for those who lack the necessary academic credentials for their excellent work, allowing them the freedom to earn the certification required to find roles in their desired profession. Others may take part-time work to advance in their current field. For example, a social work degree can find part-time entry-level work while also pursuing the graduate degree required for a more profitable mental health career.
Part-time occupations are especially appealing to people involved in specific projects such as writing, civic engagement, and artistic efforts. Even if they don’t pay well, such endeavors provide a lot of personal joy.
Making Way for New Job Opportunities
When there are no full-time roles available within a given organization, employees may accept part-time work to position themselves as the obvious contender when a desired full-time position becomes available. Part-time work can also assist people in getting experience and training in industries they are unfamiliar with. After all, if an employer is hesitant to hire an inexperienced person on a full-time basis, they may be more willing to accept an eager prospect on a part-time basis if they exhibit a strong desire to learn the profession.
Possibility to Earn More Money
Although it may appear counter-intuitive, working part-time can occasionally allow an individual to earn more money – especially if they are capable of handling multiple jobs. For example, combining a 30-hour-per-week job with another 20-hour-per-week job may result in a higher combined income than a single full-time one. Furthermore, because many full-time compensated employment requires 50- to 60-hour workweeks, this person may wind up working fewer total hours.
Reduced Stress and Improved Health Studies reveal that full-time workers are tired because they don’t have enough time to exercise, enjoy the sun, and generally adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
12 Part-time workers, on the other hand, have more time to go to the gym and get a better night’s sleep. Part-time work also allows for the more efficient administration of daily responsibilities such as food shopping, laundry, and other household chores, resulting in more order at home.
On the other hand, voluntary part-time workers frequently suffer less financial stress because they adjust their expenditures to match their income.
3 This tendency is opposed to the phenomena known as lifestyle inflation, in which one’s costs increase in tandem with one’s income. In other words, people who can adjust to a somewhat reduced quality of life frequently found that working fewer hours is preferable to the responsibilities of working full time.
The Value of a Family
Working part-time is perfect for family-oriented people, particularly those who cherish the ability to pick up their children from school. Furthermore, part-time workers may save money on daycare, which may outweigh the extra money gained by working full-time.
Although a certain level of income is required to support one’s family, people who earn just enough to cover basic living needs while preceding luxury items may find a short-term job to be an unacceptable trade-off.
Getting a Better Deal on Transportation
Part-time work may have a situational advantage in terms of transportation costs. For example, a person who finds part-time work near their house may save more money on transportation than those who commute an hour or more every day to a full-time job. Part-time drivers can not only save money on petrol and car maintenance, but they can also save money on their monthly auto insurance premiums, which are generally mileage-based.
