Sunday, October 28, 2012

Part Time is the New Job Reality

While I view part time work as a optional benefit of being retired, it appears that employers are using part time employment as a strategy to reduce operating costs and health care costs.

A Part-Time Life, as Hours Shrink and Shift reports that many companies are shifting to more part time employees and working them less hours, sometimes as little as 12-15 hours in a week.  This allows companies more flexibility to reduce staff during low demand periods, especially in retail.  Unfortunately, companies are also using the opportunity to demand workers conform to company work time needs versus personal work time preferences.

Darden tests limiting worker hours as health-care changes loom reports the operator of Olive Garden, Red Lobster and LongHorn Steakhouses is no longer offering full time schedules to many of its hourly workers. Specifically, Darden is determining how many employees can be kept under 30 hours a week and therefore, be excluded from health care coverage that will be required by Obamacare.

My seasonal part time job is likely to be affected by some of these trends, specifically requiring that I work more hours when demand is high. While I agree this is good for the company, it's not what I signed up for in a part time retirement job.   I will gracefully decline and if my hours are reduced, I will gladly accept the consequences.

For more on New Realities, check back every Sunday for a new segment.

This is not financial or career advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

Copyright © 2012 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

1 comment:

Financial Independence said...

Part time job is typically not sustainable. Perhaps you can do it for simple jobs - i.e. retail, or census but you could hardly expect part time for anything important.

Alternatively it would be consultancy. This typically involves a lot of expertise and self development, to stay employable.