Nonprofit Director Request: Part-Time Employee Hours

This recent request for advice came in from a nonprofit director. I am listing a couple answers below, and feel free to add your own feedback.

Question:
Hi Andrew
I am hoping you can help me, I have a question about our part time employees. Is there a limit to the number of hours a part time employee can work in a week?

Our youth coordinator can work 15-20 hours per week as needed. Occasionally when we have special activities like this weekend with the Relay For Life walk he possibly could work more than that. Or do you have a connection at the department of labor that I could contact?

Thank you very much.


Answers:

1) Andy to my knowledge, there is no limit to how many hours a part time employee can work, unless of course they are considered a child/minor (17 or under). Part time is often used to save on benefit costs, either by prorating benefits offered or by not offering them at all. This is defined by the employer in the hire letter and should be in personnel handbook. Hours worked in excess on a regular basis may trigger additional benefits etc. but again it can be deemed that benefits are by averages of hours worked.

As an additional note: NYS Unemployment defines full time as 4 days; anything below this is part time. If a part time employee working 50% time were to drop to 25% time they may be eligible for unemployment benefits, even if a part time “pattern” can be proven. In this case it would be good to talk to the employer carrier if self-insured or NYS Insurance Fund. The director may also want to consult with an attorney.

2) If this situation is occasional there shouldn’t be a problem. The status of the employee would still be considered part-time.

They should refer to their employee handbook (also).

Just another mention, AFLAC benefits (some) are only eligible when the employee works at least 30 hours per week to be eligible, such as disability.

Hope it helps.