Part Time Workers

If you employ part time workers it is unlawful for you to treat them less favourably than an equivalent full time employee unless you can show a good reason for doing so.

This means that they are entitled to the same rate of pay (including holiday, sick, maternity and adoption/parental leave pay) and access to pension schemes and training.

If they think they are being treated less favourably they are entitled to ask you to give you a written statement setting out why you are doing so. You must respond to your request within 21 days.

Dismissing someone because they have exercised these rights or helped someone else to do so is automatic unfair dismissal and could leave you facing a big damages bill. Similarly, less favourable treatment could leave you on the wrong end of a tribunal claim for discrimination.

Rees Page can advise on any queries concerning how you are entitled to treat part time workers or how you should respond to any grievances raised. We can health check your procedures (or write you new ones) to make sure you are not breaking the rules and can assist you with defending any tribunal claims that are brought against you.