If you’re researching the question about what constitutes full-time and part-time hours, you’ve likely run into different definitions in different places, and employers are generally able to develop their own definitions. And with conflicting definitions floating around, it makes it hard to know what’s correct and what’s not. Show
So, what really makes for a full-time and part-time employee in the United States? And what are the consequences for employers if they don’t get it right the first time around? Whether you’re an employee or employer looking for the best definition, the classification of full-time and part-time workers has far-reaching implications both in health insurance options and other coveted benefits. Psst... We created an eBook to help you classify your employees correctly. You can download your free copy here. How Many Hours Is Considered Full-Time?Short answer: Full-time employment is usually considered between 30-40 hours a week, while part-time employment is usually less than 30 hours a week. Long answer: The answer is not quite as simple as it sounds. Here’s why. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has no definition for part-time or full-time employment, and employers may determine their own definitions. However, according to the IRS, for purposes of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the following definition is used: A full-time employee is, for a calendar month, an employee employed on average at least 30 hours of service per week, or 130 hours of service per month. Part-Time & Full-Time Classification MattersMisclassifying Part-Time and Full-Time Employees Can Cause Fines or PenaltiesAn employer may inadvertently misclassify a worker as part-time, when in fact, the employee is classified as full-time under the ACA. This could cause benefits-related penalties for the employer. For example, if an Applicable Large Employer (ALE) under the ACA should offer benefits to a full-time employee but does not, the company may face fees or penalties. How to Correctly Classify Your Workers The guide for classifying different types of workers. Thanks for downloading! If the requested file does not load in a new window,
click here. Download Your eBook Today I'm interested in receiving information about Justworks. Classification Defines Small and Large Employers Under the ACAThe number of part-time and full-time employees a company has affects whether the employer is classified as a small employer (SE) or applicable large employer (ALE). SEs and ALEs have different obligations. If an employer has an average of at least 50 full-time employees or equivalents, then the employer is an ALE. An ALE must offer minimum essential coverage that is affordable and provides minimum value, or potentially make an employer shared responsibility payment to the IRS. ALEs also must file certain informational returns with the IRS, such as Form 1095-C. SEs do not have the same responsibilities as ALEs. You can read more about what the ACA requires of small businesses here. *** Although full-time and part-time hour classifications can feel a little murky, some ALEs choose to stick by what the ACA defines as full-time workers to avoid penalties. Additionally, employers may use other definitions besides full-time and part-time for the purposes of other benefits. If you’re unsure as an employer how to define part-time and full-time, or need guidance on how to stay compliant with the ACA, it never hurts to reach out to employment counsel. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, legal or tax advice. If you have any legal or tax questions regarding this content or related issues, then you should consult with your professional legal or tax advisor. “Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living,” as the famous song by music legend Dolly Parton goes. But have you ever wondered why the 9 to 5 schedule became so popular? If it is the most effective way of working? Or if you and your team are working too much? Join us and find out all you need to know about working hours throughout history. Today vs. 100 Years Ago: How Many Work Hours in a Year?Back in hunter-gatherer societies, the average working day was around three to five hours (but up to eight if you include food prep). And that’s just as well, as the average lifespan at the time was between 21 and 37 years of age. Since then a lot has changed. Lifestyles have shifted and we’ve become a more modern society. And that seems to mean working more. But why? And is it effective? For starters, let’s take a look at how working life has changed throughout history… Nowadays, according to US labor law, a full-time working week is equal to 40 hours. If you work full time, to calculate your working hours in a year you need to multiply the number of weekly hours—40 by the number of weeks a year—52. In total, this gives us 2,080 hours a year. But do most people really work that much? No. On average in the world, the working week is 35 hours, shrinking the 2022 average to 1,820 hours per year. And part-time employees may work even less. But throughout history, employees haven’t always worked the same hours. Historical events and life circumstances largely determined the working schedule. So how did we get to where we are today? Let’s take a look at the average working hours over the last 70 years. 100 years ago, during World War I in 1914, the number of working hours averaged around 55 hours per week. To keep up with the demand for military equipment, some workers even clocked in a massive 72 hours of work! However, productivity dropped! Statistics show that the peak productivity level averaged around 40 hours per week. Anything more and quality went downhill. Enter the 9 to 5 working weeks. Made main-stream by Henry Ford of Ford Motors in 1926, the 9 to 5 working week became the new normal. However, many manufacturers continued to overwork their employees throughout the Great Depression with 46-50 hour working weeks. After World War II, the 40-hour working week became enshrined in society as a whole. Until today. Now modern employers are testing out a variety of working hour schemes to boost productivity including the 9/80 working schedule and 4-day working weeks. What’s the Average Working Year?It might seem that the work never ends, but how much are we working really? Let’s take a look at the average working year as it stands today. Number of hours in a year vs. how many you spend workingIt might seem those working hours are adding up. But what about your free time? How many hours are you working in comparison to hours in the year? First off, here’s a quick breakdown of how many hours each one of us has to allocate to work and leisure in a year: But wait! Every 4 years is a leap year. That means that there are 29 days in February instead of the usual 28. That gives us an extra 24 hours that year, making a total number of hours 8,784 on a leap year. What does this mean for your working vs rest time? If we assumed that you worked average hours in 2022, which is 1,820 hours, then about 20.78% of your life was spent working that year. Something to think about! How many full-time hours per year are there?When calculating the full-time working hours, there are lots of things you need to consider, such as:
In other words, it’s important to deduct all non-working hours from your total work hours a year. Once you’ve figured out how many days off work you have in a year and multiplied those by the number of working hours in your day, the math is pretty straightforward. For example, if you had 12 days of vacation last year and 8 paid days off, you worked a total of 1920 hours that year: Breaking it down: work hours in a year in North America, Europe, AsiaWork hours aren’t equal around the globe. In North America, Europe, and Asia employees’ working hours will differ from other regions. Let’s take a look at the most striking differences in these parts of the world.
But what about productivity? Unfortunately, as we know, more time at work doesn’t equal more productivity. By using GDP data we can tell you that Danes earned $55 more per hour than Mexicans. Proving time doesn’t always equal money! How many hours did Everhour users work last year?Everhour users are a productive bunch. It’s a fact! But have you ever wondered about the average work hours in a year logged by Everhour users? Wonder no more! Here’s just how productive we’ve been together. * *No GDPR were breached making this infographic 😉 How many workweeks in a year?Simple. All 52 weeks in the year are fair game for working. But does that mean everyone works all 52 weeks in the year? Of course, not. When we factor in holidays and weekends, this number becomes a lot less. To calculate the number of weeks worked in a year, we minus the holidays and weekends and divide by the number of days in the week. But the question here isn’t always how many hours or weeks are worked in total. It’s also if an employee is receiving paid holidays. Normally, such holiday payments are included in contracts so employees know if they are entitled to paid time off. In the US, employers are not always required to compensate workers if federal holidays fall on a weekend. However, some companies choose to do so to gain loyalty and boost morale. How many weeks in a year overall vs time spent working?The International Organization for Standardization states that a year is 52 weeks. But if we want to get technical about it, it’s a little more than that. If you multiply 52 weeks by 7 days you’ll get 364 days. But there are 365 days in a year, right? Correct! That’s why, there’s actually, 52.143 weeks in a year or 52 weeks and one day. On a leap year that becomes 52.286 weeks in a year or 52 weeks and two days. So:
Now how does this compare to time spent working? Let’s take a look at the weeks spent working by country: Now, who is picking up their French textbook and booking a ticket?! What do workweeks in a year look like worldwide? Fast facts!Think it’s Monday to Friday everywhere? Think again. Workweeks across the world don’t necessarily look alike. Check out these workweek facts:
How many workweeks in a year in North America, Europe & Asia?Simple. All 52 weeks in the year are fair game for working, but not everyone works all 52 weeks. The median for working weeks per year is around the 36.3 mark. To calculate the number of weeks worked in a year, we minus the holidays and weekends and divide by 7 (the number of days in the week).
But the question here isn’t always how many hours or weeks are worked in total. It’s if those holidays are paid for. Normally, such holiday payments are included in contracts, so employees know if they are entitled to paid time off. In the US, employers are not always required to compensate workers if federal holidays fall on a weekend. However, some choose to do so to gain loyalty and boost morale. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics calculated that in 2019, 1/3 of workers could receive 10 to 14 days of PTO after 1 year of service. What Does the Average Working Month Look Like?Whether you’re paid 4-weekly or monthly, you’ll probably want to know how many hours you’re getting paid for. Here’s how that time spent working compares to the rest of the world. How many work hours in a month today vs 100 years ago?Assuming we’re counting full-time working on a ‘traditional’ schedule. Counting today’s work hours in a month looks like this:
But that’s just a rough guide. Not every month has just four working weeks, not every country counts working weeks as full weeks. Instead, some may count days, and not everyone works 40 hours a week. However, let’s assume our calculation is roughly correct. How does this compare to the traditional working hours per month approximately 100 years ago? The early 1900s were marked by rapid advances in technology, war, and peace. In 1919, the average working hours per week in manufacturing were equal to 50 or around 200 hours per month. Over the years, some regulations have been introduced and nowadays, as of January 2022, that figure is much lower with 40.4 hours per week or 161.6 hours per month. How many hours in a month are there overall?Thirty days has September, April, June, and November, all the rest have thirty-one, except for February. You may remember this rhyme from your schooldays, but it is still helpful when figuring out how many days and hours there are in a month. So, let’s calculate: How many work hours in a month in North America, Europe, and Asia in 2022?When talking about work hours in a month, theoretically there are between 672 and 720 possible working hours in a month. But in reality, the number of hours people work is much less. After all, we’re not robots. When counting holidays, weekends, and rest hours, the average working hours in a month in North America, Europe, and Asia look a little like this: Working 9 to 5? Here’s What the Average Working Week Looks Like TodayHow many work hours per week?Whether you feel you’re working 24/7 or 9 to 5, you’re probably wondering what’s the average anyway. So how many work hours in a week are there? Let’s take a look. How many hours in a week are there overall?Ever wondered just how much of your week you spend working? Let us break it down for you with some handy math.
So, if we take the average working week of 40 hours per week and make it a percentage we get:
What is the average workweek in North America, Europe, and Asia?We might have the impression that some nations are more laid-back than others, but is it really the case? Here are the true stats on the average working week in North America, Europe, and Asia. What are the average work hours per week as logged by Everhour users?Hard workers or slackers (NO WAY!)? We know our Everhour users are some of the most efficient out there. But how many hours do they log each week? Let’s find out. What are working hours in North America, Europe, and Asia?We know the average working week across the world can range from 29 hours to well over 40 hours per week. But when do people work? Across the world, the average business day varies. In the USA and much of Western Europe, the average working week is 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday. Meanwhile, in Japan, the average business day runs from 8.30 am to 7 pm from Monday to Friday. However, in Saudi Arabia, the workweek starts on Sunday at 8 am. They work till noon, then take a 3-hour break before returning to work from 3 pm till 6 pm. Let’s take a look at some other daily routines around the world. Who Works the Most? From Hong Kong to WashingtonDiscover which city and country work the most worldwide. And who has perfected the work-life balance? Which city works the most? Working hours by cityNew York is the city that never sleeps. Melbourne is the world’s most rested city. But have you ever wondered: which city works the most? Let’s find out. Unlike popular misconception, New York is not the world’s hardest-working city. It’s not even close! That honor goes to both Mumbai in India and Hanoi in Vietnam who hold a joint first position as the world’s longest workers. They clock in at a massive 2,691 hours a year. So, then, who’s the shortest worker? Will Melbourne steal the title? No, not quite. In fact, it’s Parisians who work the least with a total of 1,663 hours per year. Top 5 longest workers (hours per year)
Top 5 shortest workers (hours per year)
Working Laws — How Many Hours Can a Young Person Work?From getting their first paper round to that first “proper” job, it’s vital young workers receive the support and protection they need. Here are the rules employers need to know today. How many hours can a minor work? Today vs 100 years agoIn the UK the Factory and Workshops Act banned all children under 10 from working in factories or workshops. Can you guess what year it was issued? In 1878! Until this time it was legal for those under 10 years of age to work in factories and workshops under the right conditions. But it was not until 2 years later in 1880, that the Education Act made it compulsory for children to attend school. But what about the US? The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets out regulations that ban exploitative child labor and sets out rules for the safe employment of young people. What year was it issued? That’s right! In 1938. So, what did the employment sphere look like back in the 1930s, just less than 100 years ago? Back 100 years ago, children as young as 10 years old regularly worked. And not just for pocket money either. It might be hard to believe now, but children toiled long and hard days as:
Even 5-year-olds were expected to ‘help out’ on the farm and around the house. In fact, it was the norm. So, what changed? Society. Pictures by famous photographer Lewis Hine, who was employed by the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC), starting in 1908 and finishing in 1924 documented child labor across the country. Society’s view on children working began to change. The richer classes started to believe that parents should work to support their children, not the other way around. Then in 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Action (FLSA) was born. This piece of legislation limits the labor of children (among other things) and installs strict regulations on the dos and don’ts when children work. What does the FLSA say exactly?FLSA prohibits oppressive child labor and sets the following rules for non-exempt children:
Caught using oppressive child labor? The fine is $11,000 for every violation with up to $50,000 fine for death or serious injury of a minor. And this can be doubled for repeat offenders.
How many hours can a 17-year-old work in North America, Europe, and Asia? And what are the rules?USAUnder the FLSA, 17-year-olds in the USA can work unlimited hours in non-hazardous conditions. However, some states have implemented legislation that limits which hours they can work, how much money they should receive, and other conditions. For example, in California, 16 and 17-year-olds can only work until 10 pm at night on a school day and 12.30 am on a non-school day. In Massachusetts, they can only work between 6 am and 10 pm on days preceding a school day, and after 8 pm all minors should be supervised by an adult. In NYC, 16 and 17-year-olds can only work until 10 pm on days before school days. By the way, the federal minimum wage for teenagers is $7.25 per hour. CanadaIn Canada, child welfare is legalized under the Canadian Constitution. 17-year-olds can work almost the same as 18-year-old with some exceptions. These are:
European UnionIn the EU there are no specific regulations for 17-year-olds. Instead, regulations apply to workers aged between 15 to 18 years old. So, what are the rules?
AsiaOn the Asian continent, the following working rules apply to 17-year-old workers.
How many hours can a 16-year-old work in North America, Europe, and Asia?16 going on 17? It might seem like your teen is all grown up, but that doesn’t mean employment law treats them the same. Here’s what it means for a 16-year-old to work across various jurisdictions. USALike their 17-year-old peers, in the USA 16-year-olds can work an unlimited number of hours in non-hazardous conditions. CanadaCanada classifies 16-year-olds as “Young Persons,” this category belongs to anyone who is 15 years old and over until the day of their 18th birthday. A 16-year-old can work from 6 am to 12.01 am. However, between 9 pm and 12.01 am, they should be supervised by an adult in retail businesses that sell food or beverages, the goods industry, and the hospitality sector. In addition, no matter when and where they work, they should have the permission of a parent or guardian. European UnionFor 16-year-old workers in the EU, the following rules apply:
Asia
How many hours can a 15-year-old work in North America, Europe, and Asia?In most countries, 15-year-olds are expected to attend school. So, this limits their labor activity. But by how much? How many hours can a 15-year-old work? Let’s find out. USAIn the US, Federal law says that 14-15-year-olds can’t work more than 8 hours a day. This is reduced to 3 hours on a school day. During term-time, when young people are in school, a 15-year-old can work up to 18 hours per week. And there’s a time restriction too. 14-15-year-olds can only work between the hours of 7 am to 7 pm. CanadaUnder Canadian law, 15-year-olds can work up to 20 hours per week during the school term. During school vacations, they can work as much as an adult employee. However, there are some restrictions on when they can work. A 15-year-old cannot work between 11 pm and 6 am. European UnionIn the EU, 15-year-olds can work up to 8 hours a day for up to 40 hours a week. This can be between the hours of 6 am and 10 pm / 7 am and 11 pm. BUT! This only applies when they are not subject to compulsory education. In European Union countries where the compulsory school age is higher than 15, it may not be possible to employ young people of 15 and under. There are some exceptions, such as sports and cultural activities, and training schemes. Asia
How many hours can a 14-year-old work in North America, Europe, and Asia?Learning how to work is an important skill for any young person. But when getting started in the employment world, it’s vital workers’ rights are protected. So, what are the rules of employment for a 14-year-old across the world? USAAccording to the FLSA, 14-year-olds can work:
However, they should not work between the hours of 7 pm and 7 am. CanadaIn Canada, a young person between the ages of 12 to 14 years old can work:
European UnionIn the European Union, it is illegal to employ those under the age of 15 years old. There are some exceptions to this. For example, culture, sports, artistic, or advertising activities, as part of a work experience or training program, and for certain types of light work. Asia
How many hours can a minor work in a week in North America, Europe, and Asia?A minor is generally considered to be a person under the age of 18 years old. However, depending on the age of the minor and their location, different working rules apply. When employing a teenager consider carefully the legislation that applies to your locality and business. Exploitative child labor is illegal worldwide – don’t be a part of it. USA
Canada
European Union
Asia
How Many Hours Can You Work on Unemployment in North America, Europe, and Asia?Just because you are working doesn’t mean you aren’t eligible for unemployment benefits. Here’s the low-down of how many hours you can work while claiming unemployment. USAThe number of hours you work doesn’t necessarily reflect on your eligibility to receive unemployment benefits. If you work part-time, you may still be entitled to collect some benefits or apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI). Generally, this is based on your gross wage (total wage before tax). CanadaIn Canada, if you are unemployed, you may receive Employment Insurance benefits (EI). Like in the US, the amount of benefit you receive is tied to the wage you earn. You keep 50¢ of your EI for every dollar you earn. This applies up to 90% of weekly insurable earnings used to calculate this benefit. European UnionIn the European Union, how many hours you can or can’t work while on unemployment depends on the state you reside in. For example:
AsiaIn Japan, it is legal for workers to be part-time employed while receiving benefits. However, this amount should not exceed certain limits as detailed in the Employment Insurance Law of Japan. How Many Hours Can You Work on SSI?SSI or Supplemental Security Income is a US benefit that aims to help those making little or no money. SSI helps aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income and are unable to work. There is no limit to how many hours you can work and receive SSI. Instead, there is a limit on income you can make. In 2020, this amount is less than $794 per month and less than $2,000 in assets. The amount of SSI you could receive is tied to your income. In 2022, the benefits level for SSI is equal to $1,310 per month. How many hours can you work if you are on disability?Depending on where you are in the world, your eligibility for disability payments may vary. Here are some of the programs available worldwide. USAIn the US, you can work and still receive social security disability benefits. Generally, this is related to the income you receive, not how much you work. As of 2022, this amount is capped at $1,310 per month. However, if you are the head of a company or self-employed, your hours may be counted. Please contact your local office for further information as to how your circumstance will affect your benefits. UKIn the UK, you may be eligible for Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or attendance allowance and still be able to work. These benefits are not income testing and are not related to hours employed. How Many Hours Can a Part-Time Employee Work Without Benefits?Eligibility for employment benefits, such as paid time off, stock options, health insurance, and more may depend on how your staff is classified.
BUT! It’s not that simple. Calculating whether you have a full-time or part-time worker should be done using data given by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How Many Hours Can You Work a Day in North American, Europe, and Asia? Maximum Working Hours per DayThere are 24 hours in a day, but what is the absolute maximum you can actually work? Time to find out.
What’s Your Working Schedule?Now you know more about the working world around you, why not get in touch and tell us more about how you work. Or better yet, let Everhour do the hard work of tracking your working time for you? We’re fanatics about time tracking, so we can tell you how many hours you and your team worked each day, week, month, and year, and see how you measure up in productivity with the world! All-in-one time management system for your teamResources:
Is working 7 hours a day full💚 How many hours a week is considered a full-time job? As mentioned before, the national standard for full-time employment is 40 hours per week. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that it's expected for an average worker to spend at least 35 hours a week at work, which usually means five days, eight hours per day.
Is working 8 hours a day fullAn 8-hour shift is a global norm that full-time employees are required to work daily, 5 days per week, for the total hours worked per week to equal 40, according to the same norm.
How many hours is fullDefinition of Full-Time Employee
For purposes of the employer shared responsibility provisions, a full-time employee is, for a calendar month, an employee employed on average at least 30 hours of service per week, or 130 hours of service per month.
Is fullCalifornia Full-Time Hours: Getting the Facts
This standard has created a lot of confusion, so we are here to set the record straight: “full-time” is still considered 40 hours.
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