With flexible work arrangements on the rise for organizations throughout the U.S., benefits for part-time employees are presenting new ground for consideration. According to the International Foundation, 94 percent of organizations offer some sort of flexible work arrangement.
Many U.S. organizations (78 percent) currently employ part-time workers, according to Flexible Work Arrangements: 2017 Survey Report from the International Foundation. Of those organizations that employ part-time workers, 90 percent define part-time as working fewer than 30 hours per week.
I spoke with Julie Stich, the International Foundation’s Associate Vice President of Content, and she said the workforce is shifting toward more flexible work options and away from the traditional 40-hour week. That’s why it’s becoming increasingly important to establish benefits policies for part-time workers.
Health Care Benefits for Part-Time Employees
Due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) employer mandate, in order to avoid a penalty, health care benefits must be offered to those who work at least 30 hours per week (for organizations that employ 50 or more full-time equivalent workers). In the Flexible Work Arrangements report:
37% of employers reported their employees must work a minimum of 30 hours per week in order to receive health insurance- 25% of employers reported their employees must work a minimum of 20 hours per week in order to receive health insurance
- 6% of employers did not specify a minimum number of work hours needed to be eligible to receive employer-sponsored health care benefits.
For part-time employees working fewer than 30 hours per week, the most popular health care-related benefits provided include:
- Health care insurance—54%
- Prescription drug coverage—53%
- Dental and vision care—52%
- Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)—47%
- Health savings accounts (HSAs)—33%
Paid Leave Options for Part-Time Employees
Of the 94 percent of employers offering some sort of flexible work arrangement, paid leave benefit offerings for part-time employees include:
- Holidays—68%
- Bereavement leave—63%
- Sick pay—52%
- Short-term disability—41%
- Maternity leave—33%
- Parental/family leave—32%
- Personal leave—29%
Julie added that U.S. organizations are not required to provide paid leave to part-time workers, but many do for several reasons like retaining high-performing workers, attracting high-quality applicants, building worker loyalty and providing work-life balance.
Related Reading: Telecommuting: Who Offers What and Why?
Retirement and Other Benefits for Part-Time Employees
According to the survey report, the most common retirement option for part-time employees is a defined contribution plan—401(k) or 403(b)—offered by 76% of employers. More than one quarter (26%) offer a defined benefit pension plan to part-time workers.
Other benefit options for part-time employees include life insurance (49%), dependent care (41%), long-term disability (41%) and educational assistance like tuition reimbursement (39%).
More Information
For more information and to access the full Flexible Work Arrangements survey report, visit www.ifebp.org/flexiblework.
Anne Patterson
Social Media and Communications Associate at the International Foundation
