How Many Hours Is Considered Full Time?
What we consider work hours and working time has changed a lot in the recent years in the wake of the pandemic and the rising popularity of remote work. The divide between working time and off-work time has blurred. However, the question how many hours is considered full time and what is full time employee hours is still valid especially in regard to benefits and other perks associated with the full-time work status and many other reasons.
What Is a Full-Time Job?
A full-time job is a position that requires employees to work the minimum number of hours deemed full-time by their employer. A full-time position typically is associated with a consistent work schedule and a range of benefits, unavailable to a part-time employee.
Understanding full-time employment hours
A full-time employee in the United States normally clocks about 2,080 hours a year. The calculation is based on a 40-hour working week over the period of 52 weeks. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), those who work between 32 and 40 hours per week are considered full-time employees. That equals to roughly 130 hours per month.
Legal considerations
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). FLSA requires that employees receive at least the federal minimum wage for up to 40 hours of work per week. Any hours worked over and above this will qualify as requiring an overtime pay. Depending on the employer’s regulations, the overtime pay can be provided either in the form of additional wages or in the form of an additional time off.
Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA puts full-time employment at 30 hours per week spent at work. If a business has over 50 such full-time employees, it is required by law to offer them health insurance coverage.
Implement employee time tracking software to accurately monitor hours worked and ensure compliance with full-time standards.
Advantages of Full-Time Work
- Stability and consistency: A full-time employment status normally brings stability and consistency by offering regular work hours and a feeling of financial security.
- Benefits: Moreover, full-time staff have access to corporate health inurance plans, paid leave, and some other perks normally unavailable to those who work part time.
Disadvantages of Full-Time Work
Advantages of a full-time work come at the cost of certain disadvantages. Among them is:
- Fixed work hours: That make it hard to fit in personal commitments, hobbies, and even family time.
- Risk of a burnout: That weighs heavy of full-time staffers as such work is often associated with high stress level.
To Sum Up
When landing a job, one needs to balance all pros and cons of a full-time and a part-time position. If your are after financial security and stability, go for a full-time job. If you treasure flexibility, off-work time, and do not care much about the perks that come with a permanent position, your choice is a part-time job. For you to decide.
