How to Manage Part Time Employees

Many organizations depend on part time talent, as part time employees not only save employers money in terms of wages and benefits, but they also fulfill critical roles that full time employees are many times unable to fill. However, part time employees also provide special challenges to managers, and managing these employees requires that managers pay close attention to the unique situation in which part timers are found.

Because part timers spend less time in the workplace than full time workers, some employers make the mistake of overlooking part time employees when promotions and/or training opportunities come around. Managers need to ensure that part time employees feel like and are positioned as valuable members of the team by including them in meetings and in all written communications.

Though part timers are sometimes not included in formal evaluation processes, managers should take the time give these employees substantive feedback and discuss job performance, expectations, and employee concerns. Managers need to keep part timers engaged and should expect commitment and encourage initiative in their part time employees.

Part time employees may also have a difficult time fitting in because many full time employees may overlook their part time colleagues and fail to include them in meaningful conversations. Managers should strive to include part time employees in social activities and keep them informed of company events, and they should also consider the schedules of part time employees when planning company events.

Managers must always remember to treat their valuable part time employees the same as they do fulltime employees and respect their reasons for choosing to work part time. Because attracting and hiring new employees is an arduous, costly, and time consuming process, managers should do their best to retain their part time employees.