Full-Time Hours, What You Need to Know?

Are you wondering how many hours in a week you should be working? How many hours in a full time work can be physically and mentally profitable?

Well, many employees feel stressed out due to the imbalance in the work-life situation. It affects their mental health, which compromises their optimal growth. Employers must offer their staff a flexible work environment to help them overcome these burnouts.

One potential answer is to recognize the necessity for full-time vs. part-time employment. It should be included in your business, giving the employees a variety of job kinds.

9 out of 10 workers believe a relaxed workplace is necessary because it promotes a better work-life balance (60%) and boosts productivity (34%), according to reports from India today.

People work a wide range of hours, from a few hours a week to 60+ hours a week. Classifying people as “full-time” or “part-time” workers is a practical method of summarising this range of hours.

To be considered a full-time employee, you must work a certain number of hours per week. Working more hours than this can be beneficial.

The Definition of Full-Time Hours

In reality, your employer and corporate policy determine full-time employment. There is no set legal definition for it. The only exemption is when it comes to health insurance. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) covers it.

Typically, your employer establishes certain hours for your work schedule. The employee handbook will state the hours of work and how many hours are needed in a week. This is if the organization is following best practices for full-time employment.

If you’re wondering how many hours are in a week are mandatory. The employers usually keep them between 30 and 50 hours a week, averaging at 40. Bureau of Labor Statistics set the standard for full-time employment at 35 hours per week, but this is not required by law.

Companies that employ 50-hour work weeks usually limit their use to salaried (exempt) personnel solely.

What is the Standard for Full Time Hours in Australia?

The average number of hours worked per week has decreased in recent years, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These are a person’s regular working hours that don’t incur overtime fees. In Australia, full time hours vary depending on your company, your job, and the industry you work in.

According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, 35 or 38 hours per week are optimal for some workers in high-risk industries. However, there’s no maximum limit on the number of hours an employee can work in a week.

In 1981, the national working-hour limit was 37 hours; now, it is 38 hours. However, many people put in long hours, especially factory workers who frequently put in ten or more overtime hours weekly.

Full-time employees should know how many hours in a week they can expect to work and what benefits they will receive.

Part-Time and Casual Work in Australia

The hours and rights of part-time and casual employees differ significantly from each other.

While working fewer hours, part-time employees are entitled to the same benefits as full-time workers. Like part-time workers, casual workers often put in fewer hours than full-time workers, but they are subject to different regulations for things like vacation time. Part-time workers and their employers have a continuing contractual relationship.

Also, according to the law, each casual shift constitutes a new, independent employment contract. But with some new exemptions safeguarding long-term contract workers, things are changing.

What are the Benefits of Working in Full-Time Hours?

Full-time employees work an average of 40 hours a week and receive paid vacation, annual leaves, sick leave, and parental leaves. They also receive medical benefits, retirement plans, paid public holidays, and other benefits.

Some other benefits are:

Fixed Salary

The most obvious benefit of working full time is a fixed monthly salary. You don’t need to worry about where to get money for your daily expenses, and you don’t have to look for a part-time job.

Better Work-Life Balance

Since you are likely to work for a single employer for longer, this gives you more flexibility in your schedule. You can plan your days according to how much time you want to spend with your family or friends.

Growth Opportunities

If an organization grows over time, there is a good chance that it will offer you more challenging roles within the company. This provides an opportunity to grow as an individual and gain valuable experience in different areas. This may also lead to better pay and other benefits such as health insurance coverage and other perks like vacation days or sick leaves.

Eligibility for Overtime

The biggest benefit of working full-time is that some employers offer overtime pay or additional compensation for working beyond 40 hours per week. This is particularly true in companies with union contracts or collective bargaining agreements. You can increase your income by working more than 40 hours a week, even if your employer doesn’t offer overtime pay. This can be done by taking on side jobs or freelancing during your free time.

Health Insurance

You’ll receive health insurance through your employer. This includes your share of the premium, which is usually deducted from your paycheck. Your pay depends on your chosen plan and how much you earn.

You may also be eligible for dental and vision plans and other types of coverage. Your employer may compensate a part of these costs, so you might also need to contribute some money.

Conclusion

There are no set rules for how many hours you need to work full-time, especially in creative industries. It all depends on your skills and how they can benefit a company.

Although most part-time jobs don’t require you to work more than thirty hours per week, it can be advantageous if a position also offers full time hours.

Additionally, full time hours provide more opportunities to turn a job into a profession and generate higher income. You should, however, carefully read the terms of your job offer before accepting.

EmployeeConnect is ideal whether you’re hiring for either part- or full time hours. To make the HR procedure easier and more efficient, our tool can gather and refine all the data you require about your employees. Put your Human Resources Information System (HRIS) to work by using your reporting structures and rules to drive integrated workflow, notifications, role-based security, and simple setup options.

In the world of HR software, EmployeeConnect continues to be one of the leading industry providers of innovative solutions. We helps Australia business owners and people managers be more efficient, cost-effective and compliant by taking the hassle out of HR and payroll admin. If you spend more than an hour every day on HR administration (like on/off-boarding, performance review, or employee timesheets), then EmployeeConnect is here for you.