Many employees now balance part-time jobs employment with additional income-generating activities like freelancing or creative work. A typical week of part-time job includes at least 20 hours of labour (but not more than 40). Many people find this easy schedule appealing, particularly those who make a respectable living doing contract work on the side.
Without a full-time job, stability is hard to attain. Many employers only allow full-timers to participate in employee perks like 401(k) plans and medical or dental insurance. Part-time employees are thus left to fend for themselves, spending money on subpar health and dental insurance or attempting to save for retirement. Thankfully, a growing number of big firms are providing benefits to their part-time employees.
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When are part-time employees eligible for benefits?
Employers sometimes provide part-time employees with a benefits package that is comparable to that of full-time employees. Health insurance, workers’ compensation, maternity leave, long- and short-term disabilities, retirement, joblessness, and vacation are a few examples of these advantages. The benefits that part-time employees are eligible for depend on the category.
Health insurance part-time benefits
Employers are obligated to provide benefits to full-time employees, but they are not compelled to provide medical and dental insurance to part-time employees. When they do, they must do it in accordance with the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (commonly referred to as Obamacare or the ACA). Part-time workers, as defined under the ACA, are those who work less than 30 hours per week. Based on the ACA’s minimum participation standards, your employer may change the part-time benefits they provide. In general, flexible spending accounts are the only kind of health insurance that part-time employees cannot generally access under the ACA.
Workers’ compensation part-time benefits
Even if you work part-time, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation if taxes are deducted from your salary as part of your employer’s payroll deduction procedures. To find out whether your workplace accident qualifies you for this benefit, speak with a lawyer.
Parental leave part-time benefits
According to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), you may be entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid parental leave after the birth of your child if you work part-time for a municipal, state, or federal public employer. If you work part-time for a private firm that employs at least 50 people (either in your specific building or in offices nearby) for at least 20 weeks in any calendar year, you may also be eligible for FMLA coverage. Before your leave starts, you must have worked for your employer for at least 12 months and a minimum of 1,250 hours to be eligible for FMLA benefits.
Disability part-time benefits
If your part-time income is less than $1,260 per month, you are eligible to apply for Social Security short-term or long-term disability payments. This limit is increased to $2,110 if you are blind. These sums fluctuate every year. The Social Security Administration may conduct a more thorough review of your case after you submit an application for a package of disability payments to decide whether it should continue to handle your benefits.
Retirement part-time benefits
Even if you work part time, you are still eligible for the same employee retirement benefits that your company provides full-time employees provided you put in 1,000 hours over a 12-month period. If you put in at least 20 hours a week and take no more than two weeks off during the year, you may be able to reach this goal.
Unemployment part-time benefits
Depending on the state, part-time employees may or may not be eligible for unemployment benefits. For instance, part-time employees in Pennsylvania who make up to 30% of their entire unemployment benefit rate from their job are still eligible to receive unemployment benefits, however the amount they get will be less. They forfeit their unemployment benefits if their part-time income is more than 30% of their full unemployment benefit rate.
Vacation part-time benefits
Some firms provide part-time workers vacation days. There are no federal laws requiring businesses to provide vacation time to part-time employees, unlike many other forms of benefits.
What are the jobs with the best benefits for part-time workers?
Some businesses have a reputation for treating their part-time employees very well. Here are 10 businesses that provide part-time employees with the finest advantages for employment.
1. Chipotle
Chipotle has some of the greatest perks available for part-time work. In addition to offering discounts to all employees and offering part-time workers health, vision, dental, and wellness care, Chipotle also doubles their 401(k) contributions after one year of employment. Additionally, both full-time and part-time workers are eligible for financial aid through Guild Education. Through this initiative, employees may acquire up to 44 credit hours while saving up to 99% on college expenses.
2. Macy’s
There are many part-time Macy’s workers who are qualified for flexible hours, on-the-job training, and health and retirement benefits. Additionally, employees get discounts on all Macy’s goods, but perhaps the most unusual perk is the chance to participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
3. REI
Part-time workers at REI are eligible for competitive benefit packages and may choose from a variety of medical plans for themselves and their families if they work more than 20 hours per week for more than 12 months. The majority of the medical plan’s expenses are paid for by the business, and its basic life and disability insurance are completely free.
Long-term care insurance, vision care, and orthodontia are further alternatives. Additionally, REI provides its staff with discount programmes (50% off REI clothing and gear, 30% off vendor goods, and 10% off sale products), Yay Days (a day off for outdoor activities every six months), and challenge grants (to put toward goals like climbing Mt. Everest).
4. Costco
The national wholesale retailer Costco offers part-time jobs with some of the best benefits available, including a competitive package with health insurance and dental and vision care; a 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution; discounts on prescription medication; child care assistance; and life insurance. Hourly part-timers at Costco must wait longer than full-time employees do for benefits eligibility (180 days as opposed to 90 days). Pretax deductions for employee premium payments or parts are made.
5. Lowe’s
Numerous benefits, including life and disability insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance, are provided by Lowe’s Home Improvement to qualified part-time employees. Along with learning and development programmes, the organisation also provides health and wellness services.
6. Staples
The Staples part-time employee benefit package includes vision and dental coverage, life insurance, coverage for dependents, accidental death, short-term disability, and a 401(k) plan.
7. Starbucks
All Starbucks workers, or “partners,” are eligible to choose from a variety of coverage tiers for accident, life, and disability insurance as well as medical, dental, and vision plans. Along with these benefits, they could also be qualified for reduced stock purchase options, a 401(k) with a match, educational savings, and a time-off programme.
Starbucks and Arizona State University have a collaboration that enables all qualified U.S. workers to complete a bachelor’s degree via ASU’s online programme with full tuition reimbursement, establishing a new standard for the fast-food business. All partners get an in-store discount and one free pound of coffee, K-cup pack, or tea tin every week regardless of the perks they choose. Starbucks’ extensive part-time perks make it one of the positions with the finest benefits for part-timers.
8. Kaplan
For assistance with enrolling in health insurance, a supplementary hospital plan, life insurance, dental and vision rider options, disability insurance, and prescription discount cards, eligible part-time Kaplan workers have access to a third-party firm. Part-timers and their immediate families may take Kaplan courses for free or at a reduced cost.
9. Bagel and Coffee Brands
Coffee & Bagel Brands provides attractive benefit packages, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, for all jobs, subject to qualifying. Employees age 21 and older have access to a 401(k) programme, to which the firm will match 25 cents of every dollar deposited, after working at any of the company’s franchisees for three months. Additionally, each employee is entitled to a discount at any establishments that the business owns.
10. Cost plus World Market
For qualified part-time workers, Cost plus World Market provides a limited benefits package for wellness, health, and preventive care.