What is full-time employment?

Full-time employment is a work arrangement where an employee works a minimum number of hours each week as defined by their employer. How many hours they work can vary between organizations and countries, but it exceeds part-time hours. Full-time employees often receive benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans.

How full-time employment works

While there is no single global definition, full-time hours typically revolve around a standard work week (often around 40 hours per week). The US Affordable Care Act, however, defines anyone working 30+ hours/week, or 130+ hours/month as full-time employees. Though the average workweek for full-time employees is 47.6 hours/week. That’s 7.6 hours of overtime a week, or 380 hours of overtime a year.

Employers set expectations regarding working hours, schedules, and the minimum output expected from full-time employees.

• Hours & expectations: Employers set the minimum hours considered full-time. This typically revolves around a standard workweek (e.g., 40 hours), but variations exist. Employers also establish expectations around work schedules, attendance, and output.
• Compensation & benefits: A full-time employee usually receives a regular salary or hourly wage. They are also often eligible for benefits packages that part-time employees may not receive, such as:some text
  • Health insurance
  • Dental and vision insurance
  • Paid Time Off (vacation, sick leave)
  • Retirement plans
  • Life insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Employee discounts or perks
• Job responsibilities & duties: Full-time positions typically involve specific job descriptions outlining the employee's tasks and responsibilities. These roles often offer more involvement and greater responsibility than part-time employment.
• Legal standards & regulations: Government laws and regulations can impact aspects of full-time employment. These might include:some text
  • Minimum wage requirements
  • Overtime pay rules
  • Anti-discrimination protections
  • Workplace safety standards

Why is full-time employment important?

Full-time employment plays a significant role for both individuals and society for several reasons:

• Financial stability: Full-time jobs typically offer a consistent income source, allowing individuals and families to budget, meet financial obligations, and plan for the future.
• Access to benefits: Many employers tie benefits packages to full-time positions. These benefits can include health insurance, retirement savings plans, and paid time off, providing valuable support beyond just a paycheck.
• Career advancement: Full-time work often provides more opportunities for growth and professional development within a company or industry than part-time positions. This might include promotions, training programs, and greater responsibility.
• Social structure: Full-time employment contributes to social stability by providing individuals with a sense of purpose, routine, and often a community through coworkers.
• Economic growth: A strong base of full-time workers helps drive economies by fueling consumer spending and generating tax revenue to support public services.

Downsides of full-time employment

Although full-time employment has its advantages, it has its own potential downsides too compared to part-time employment:

• Work-life balance: Balancing the demands of a full-time job with personal life, family responsibilities, and leisure time can be a major challenge. Long hours or inflexible schedules can lead to stress and make it difficult to maintain healthy boundaries.
• Risk of burnout: Full-time employment, especially in high-pressure or demanding roles, can lead to burnout if not managed carefully. Symptoms can include exhaustion, cynicism, and decreased productivity. Whereas, this may be less of a concern for part-time workers who work fewer hours.
• Pressured overtime: Full-time employees often feel pressured to work beyond their standard working hours. The average full-time employee ultimately works 7.6 hours of overtime a week.
• Limited flexibility: Depending on the employer and the nature of the job, full-time work may offer less flexibility in work hours and location compared to part-time or freelance arrangements. Many full-time positions often demand eight hours per day, but some, depending on the nature of the role, could demand longer working days.
• Potential for career stagnation: For full-time employees, it may be easy to get overly comfortable in a role, and lead you to stay in a position longer than you should compared to your original growth ambitions. This can limit your motivation and lead to career stagnation.