In this article, we are going to celebrate all the great things about part time work. All of those benefits different people feel they get from working fewer hours each week.

Since the pandemic, many people have had a drastic rethink about what they want their life to look like and many have questioned whether they really want to go back to the office – or other place of work – on a full time basis.

Part-time work in the United Kingdom has gained increasing popularity in recent years as both employees and employers recognise the numerous advantages it offers.

This shift in the labour market reflects changing attitudes towards work as people seek more flexibility in their schedules and a better work-life balance. 

In this article, we will explore the benefits of part-time work in the UK and how it can contribute to a healthier and more productive you.

More flexibility in scheduling

One of the primary advantages of part-time work is the flexibility it provides. 

Many people prefer part-time roles because they can adjust their schedules to better fit their personal lives.

There are lots of people out there with family commitments, whether that be raising small children or caring for a family member.

If you are someone who wants to study and gain academic or professional qualifications, part time work can give you the time – and the funds – to pursue these studies.

And, quite simply, there are those of you who just want more leisure time with family and friends or time to spend on yourself.

Whilst some part time jobs are fixed hours, there are many roles that give you the flexibility to pick and choose the hours and shifts you work. And this can be used to your advantage to fit around your lifestyle and commitments. 

This flexibility can lead to reduced stress and an improved quality of life. And, after all, that’s what many of us are looking for.

Part time work can be used to build a better Work-Life balance

Achieving a healthy work-life balance is what many people are looking to do, these days. With positive mental health and wellbeing increasingly at the forefront of people’s minds, reducing the hours we work can create more time for de-stressing away from work life. 

For many people, working part-time allows them to spend more time with their families, further explore and engage in pursuing their hobbies or participate in community activities such as volunteering. 

Pursuing other activities outside of your work life can even help you to be more productive and stress-free when you are at work. The chance of burnout – an increasing problem in some workplaces – is greatly reduced.

This of course benefits you. But it also benefits those employers who are offering part time jobs because they have a happier, more motivated and more productive workforce. 

Part time work can enhance job satisfaction

Depending on the type of role you are working in, part-time workers often report higher job satisfaction compared to their full-time counterparts.

This increased job satisfaction is linked to the flexibility and improved work-life balance that part-time work provides. 

When you are working part time, it is easier to align your work schedules with your personal life.

You are in more control of your time and how you use it rather than feeling like you are constantly playing catch-up at home because you have been working all day, every day.

Less fatigue means you can fully embrace and enjoy your life outside of the workplace whilst also giving your part time job your best efforts. 

On the other hand, your part time job can also be your release – a time to wear a different head to the one you usually wear at home.

A part time job can give you the opportunity to have an alternative identity as that of a parent or a carer and this can boost your personal confidence and self-esteem.

Opportunities for professional development & training

Part-time work can also be a stepping stone to developing new skills or furthering your education. 

Many people use part-time positions as a means to gain experience. This could be an entry level role in a new field where you can also attend courses or do in house training offered by the workplace.

Part time entry level jobs can also be used to help fund your retraining if you are looking to change direction with your professional career.

Also, if you are feeling entrepreneurial and you have decided it is time to turn a hobby or a passion into a money making business, working part time can help with your finances whilst you get the business off the ground and you can work on it full time in the future.

Increased inclusivity in the workforce

Offering part-time working hours is also beneficial for employers as well as employees.

Inclusivity and diversity in the workplace can be a great driver for businesses who are tapping into a greater pool of talent. Part time work allows those people into the workplace who might not necessarily be able to enter otherwise. 

This can be people who are carers, for example, or who have health issues that mean they can’t work on a full time basis. This is a huge pool of talent for employers to tap into.

Flexibility benefits for employers & employees

Depending on the nature of the business, it can be a headache for employers at certain times of year when the busiiness is particularly busy.

Employers can be organised and ensure they have a reliable team of seasonal staff who only need to come to the workplace at those busy times of year. This allows businesses to maintain a flexible workforce that can adapt to fluctuations in demand without the burden of high fixed labour costs.

For some of you, part time seasonal work is ideal because you can use this to earn some money and then have blocks of time off to pursue other projects such as longer term travel.

There are lots of reasons to consider part time seasonal work.

Improved productivity

As we said above, part-time workers tend to be more focused and productive during their working hours. This makes the work experience more rewarding for yourself. And it is obviously beneficial for your employer, too.

Workers who take their breaks and holidays are shown to be more productive, so it follows that those of you who work part time will be more productive because you get a longer break away from your role, doing other things.

With a shorter workweek, you can better manage your concentration and energy levels and this makes you more productive.

In fact, some studies suggest that part-time workers can be as productive as their full-time counterparts in just a fraction of the hours worked.

Reduced turnover rates

Higher job satisfaction and better work-life balance in part-time roles often translate to lower turnover rates. This is another benefit of offering part time working hours for employers.

If you are happy in your part time role and enjoying your work life balance, you are more likely to stay in that role.

For employers, this can save a lot of time and money. Recruitment costs, onboarding, training time and costs are all cut. 

This can be particularly beneficial for businesses that rely on specialised skills or experience, as retaining experienced part-time workers can be more cost-effective than constantly hiring and training new employees.

Opportunities for career re-entry

Part-time work is an excellent option for individuals looking to re-enter the workforce after an extended break, such as maternity leave or extended caregiving responsibilities.

There is a huge pool of talent out there that is looking to pick up their professional career but many of those people may not be able to work full time.

In these instances, some employers create job share opportunities so that the role is covered full time but the people in that role only need to work part time hours.

In other instances, professionals who have a gap in their CV because they have been out of the workplace for an extensive period can use part time work to show they have some recent experience to fill that gap. Part time work gives you the opening you need to once more get a foothold. 

Better employee health & well-being

Part time work can be hugely beneficial for your health and wellbeing. Obviously, this is great for you – but it is also a bonus for your employer, too. 

When you are working part time hours, this means you have more time to concentrate on both your physical and mental health. More time to exercise, relax, socialise, meditate, take a walk – whatever you like to do to wind down and look after yourself.

You also have more time to think about your diet so you can cook and create healthy meals for you and your family rather than cooking whatever is quickest because you have no time. 

This means you should have fewer health and stress issues that are often associated with work. 

Part time work benefits

The benefits of part-time work in the United Kingdom are numerous and varied. Those mentioned above are just a few of the advantages to this way of working part time hours.

It offers employees the flexibility and work-life balance they crave, while also improving job satisfaction and personal development opportunities. 

Employers benefit from a more cost-effective labour force, increased productivity and lower turnover rates. In addition, part-time work promotes inclusivity in the workforce and is a valuable option for career reentry.

The growing trend towards part-time work reflects a broader shift in the way people perceive work, with an emphasis on personal well-being and life outside of the office. 

As this trend continues, it is likely that part-time work will play an increasingly important role in the UK labour market, benefitting both employees and employers alike.

If you have been considering part time work for your own personal reasons, why not take a look at our current vacancies to see if there are any opportunities to suit you? You too could soon be enjoying the many benefits of this way of working…