Part-Time Workers Rights Guide

Understanding your rights as a part-time worker is crucial. This comprehensive guide covers all your legal entitlements, from equal treatment to flexible working rights, updated with the latest 2024 legislation.

Core Legal Rights in 2025

Equal Treatment Protection

• Equal hourly pay rates

• Same overtime rates

• Identical training opportunities

• Equal career progression

• Access to company benefits

New for 2024: Day-one right to request flexible working and enhanced protections for pregnant workers.

Key Legislation

Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000

Equality Act 2010

Employment Rights Act 1996

Working Time Regulations 1998

Flexible Working Regulations 2024

Holiday and Leave Rights

Annual Leave Calculator

Your Holiday Entitlement = (Your Hours ÷ Full-Time Hours) × 28 days

Example:

Full-time hours: 37.5

Your hours: 20

Holiday = (20 ÷ 37.5) × 28 = 14.93 days

Types of Leave Entitlement

• Annual leave (pro-rata)

• Bank holidays (pro-rata)

• Sick leave

• Maternity/Paternity leave

• Parental leave

• Compassionate leave

• Emergency time off

Flexible Working Rights 2025

New Day-One Right to Request

• No waiting period required

• Eight valid business reasons for rejection

• Maximum decision time: 2 months

• Right to appeal decisions

Types of Flexible Working

• Reduced hours

• Changed start/finish times

• Compressed hours

• Homeworking

• Job sharing

• Term-time working

Pay and Benefits Rights

Equal Pay Protection

• Same base rate as full-time colleagues

• Pro-rata salary calculation

• Equal bonus scheme access

• Commission opportunities

• Performance-related pay

Benefits Entitlement

• Pension access

• Healthcare schemes

• Company discounts

• Travel allowances

• Training budgets

Maternity and Family Rights

Maternity Leave

• 52 weeks entitlement

• 39 weeks statutory pay

• Keep all employee benefits

• Return to work rights

• KIT (Keeping in Touch) days

Family-Friendly Rights

• Paternity leave

• Shared parental leave

• Parental leave

• Time off for dependants

• Flexible working requests

Protection Against Discrimination

Protected Characteristics

• Part-time status

• Gender

• Age

• Disability

• Pregnancy/maternity

• Family status

Common Examples

• Overlooking for promotion

• Excluding from training

• Reducing hours without agreement

• Different treatment in redundancy

• Denial of benefits

Redundancy Rights

Equal Treatment in Redundancy

• Fair selection criteria

• Pro-rata redundancy pay

• Suitable alternative employment

• Consultation rights

• Appeal process

Redundancy Pay Calculator

Years of Service × Weekly Pay × Pro-Rata Percentage

Maximum weekly pay: £643 (2024)

Maximum service counted: 20 years

Enforcement of Rights

Steps to Take

  1. Informal discussion with the employer
  2. Formal grievance procedure
  3. ACAS Early Conciliation
  4. Employment Tribunal claim

Time Limits

• Equal pay claims: 6 months

• Discrimination claims: 3 months

• Unfair dismissal: 3 months

• Written terms: 3 months

Common Workplace Scenarios

Case Studies

Scenario 1: Denied Training Opportunities Resolution: Successfully challenged through grievance procedure

Scenario 2: Unequal Bonus Treatment Resolution: Received pro-rata backdated payment

Scenario 3: Flexible Working Refusal Resolution: Appeal won with a modified proposal

FAQs

Can my employer change my hours without agreement? No, any change to contracted hours requires mutual agreement or proper consultation.

Am I entitled to the same pension as full-time colleagues? Yes, you have the right to join the same pension scheme with contributions calculated pro-rata.

Do I get bank holidays off if I don't normally work those days? You're entitled to a pro-rata bank holiday allowance regardless of your working pattern.

Taking Action

Document Everything

• Keep written records

• Save emails and communications

• Note dates and times

• Record witness details

• Maintain a timeline of events

Support Resources

• ACAS Helpline

• Citizens Advice

• Trade Unions

• Employment Lawyers

• HR Department

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