5 Tips for Getting the Most from Part-Time Employees

There are a lot of myths about part-time employees. That they’re not committed to the job. They’re not as skilled or experienced as their full-time counterparts. Or they’ll jump ship the second a full-time opportunity comes along.

As one of Dade County’s top staffing agencies, Future Force knows that while these statements may be true for some workers, they’re certainly not an accurate description of the majority of part-time employees. In fact, many part-timers are highly skilled and experienced and simply choose to work on a part-time basis.

So when it comes to managing them, how can you get the most from your part-time people? Here’s a look:

Tip #1: Offer fair compensation.

Just as you would for full-time employees, offer fair compensation for your part-time workers, as well. Don’t look at part-time employment as a way to pay someone less on a per-hour basis. Keep in mind, you’ll be saving money by not having to provide the same benefits and perks you do to full-time staff. But when it comes to compensation, don’t try to skimp out if you want to hire great employees.

Tip #2: Communicate advancement opportunities.

Some employees want to work part-time. Others, though, are still searching for full-time employment. So if you have opportunities coming up, be sure to promote them to hard-working part-timers. Not only will it reduce your recruiting and training costs significantly, but it will cut down on hiring mistakes, as well.

Tip #3: Treat them equally and with respect.

Some companies treat part-time employees like second-class citizens. As a result, they wind up quitting or leaving the second another opportunity opens up. But if you want the most from your part-time workers, you need to make them feel like a part of the team. For instance, if you host a holiday party, invite them too, not just core staff. Otherwise, they’ll wind up feeling unimportant and under-appreciated.

Tip #4: Give them a consistent schedule.

A schedule that changes every week is hard to manage, for both you and your part-time employee. So before you hire them, offer and agree to a consistent schedule they can work. Set specific days and hours they’ll be working and then talk about additional hours they might be able to work as needed. If you do need them work an extra day one week, be sure to give them advanced notice.

Tip #5: Provide them with their own space.

Don’t make an employee move from desk to desk, as they’re available. This makes them feel like like an outsider. Instead, give them their own permanent workspace, whether it’s an office, a cubicle or a desk.

A successful company requires all its employees – both full-time and part-time – to work well together. That can’t happen if part-time workers don’t feel like part of the team. Instead, invest the time and effort it takes to implement the steps above, so you can get the most from your part-time people.

If you need help hiring employees, whether on a part-time, full-time or temporary basis, call Future Force. As one of Dade County’s top staffing agencies, we can help you hire and retain the high quality, hard-working employees you need for a variety of positions. Contact us today to learn more.