Going Part Time
By Rachel Vilsack
September 2010
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About 26.6 million people work in part-time jobs in the United States, many because of personal preference. But others work part time because they can't find full-time work or have had regular hours cut.
While the 40-hour work week is often thought of as the benchmark for a full-time job, the average employee actually works less. The average number of hours worked per week in Minnesota was 33.1 in May, varying by industry[1] Occupations of workers play a role in the number of hours worked, too. Some occupations have higher concentrations of part-time or temporary workers. Personal preference might be a factor in someone’s work schedule, as well.
Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that most people work part time (34 hours per week or less) for personal reasons[2] Of the 26.6 million U.S. workers with part-time schedules in May, 68 percent did so for noneconomic reasons such as family or personal obligations, or for education or training. Others have retired from their full-time jobs or have Social Security income limits.
Historically, part-time schedules are more common for women than men (see Graph 1). This trend diminished slightly during the recession. The number of men working part time increased 22 percent between first quarter 2007 and first quarter 2010, while only 5 percent more women held part-time employment during first quarter 2010.
Working part time is not always voluntary. Involuntary part-time employment includes workers whose hours are reduced due to unfavorable business conditions and workers who could only find part-time jobs. Involuntary part-time employment often increases during economic downturns, particularly as employers reduce the hours of their workforce before or in lieu of layoffs.
Almost 2.3 million people worked part time in May because that was the only work they could find. While these workers are categorized as employed in labor market statistics, they still might be competing with unemployed job seekers for full-time opportunities.
For those voluntarily seeking a flexible work schedule, working from home, temporary or seasonal employment, shift work and compressed work weeks are other options in addition to part-time employment.
Workers who do some or all of their work from home are increasing. In 2009, an estimated 24 percent of U.S. workers did some or all of their work from home on an average day compared with only 19 percent in 2003.[3]
Another alternative is a combination of multiple part-time, freelance or contract jobs instead of one full-time job. This is sometimes referred to as a portfolio career. Eleven percent of the workforce, or 16 million U.S. workers, held multiple jobs in 2009. [4]
[1] Average hours worked per week are calculated for private sector workers only. Source: DEED, Current Employment Statistics.
[2] Torpey, Elka Maria. “Flexible Work: Adjusting the When and Where for Your Job.” Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Summer 2007.
[3] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, American Time Use Survey, 2009.
[4] Ibid.
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