Labour Research June 2003

Law Matters

Full-time comparison for part-time rights

In one of the first cases taken under the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000, the Employment Appeal Tribunal clarified that a part timer can only compare her/himself with someone doing the full amount of hours, as set down in the employer's standard terms and conditions. She cannot compare her terms with those of workers doing more hours than she does if they are still not doing the equivalent of full-time hours.