If you're searching for a part-time work that provides healthcare, retirement benefits, and other perks, these 10 part-time jobs could be for you.
Many people nowadays work part-time while juggling additional sources of income, such as creative work or freelance projects. Part-time job generally comprises of at least 20 hours (but no more than 40 hours) every week. This simple schedule appeals to many people, particularly those who supplement their income with contract employment.
However, without a full-time job, it is impossible to establish stability. Employee benefits such as medical or dental insurance and a 401(k) plan are often available exclusively to full-time employees at many organizations. Part-time employees are left to fend for themselves, spending significant monies on low-quality medical and dental insurance or attempting to save for retirement. Fortunately, several major firms provide benefits to their part-time employees, which is becoming increasingly common.
When do part-time workers become eligible for benefits?
In certain situations, businesses will provide part-time employees with benefits comparable to those provided to full-time employees. Health insurance, workers' compensation, parental leave, long-term and short-term disability, retirement, unemployment, and vacation are examples of benefits. The eligibility of part-time employees for these benefits varies by category.
Part-time health insurance benefits
Employers are obligated to provide benefits to full-time employees, but they are not compelled to provide medical and dental insurance to part-time employees. When they do, they must adhere to the criteria of the Affordable Care Act (commonly known as the ACA or Obamacare). Employees who work less than 30 hours per week are classified as part-time under the ACA. Your company may modify the part-time benefits it provides in accordance with the ACA's minimum participation criteria. The one health insurance category that is often accessible to part-time employees under the ACA is flexible spending accounts.
Part-time benefits under workers' compensation
If your employer withholds taxes from your paycheck as part of its payroll deduction procedures, you are eligible for workers' compensation even if you work part-time. Consult with an attorney to see whether your workplace accident qualifies you for this benefit.
Part-time parental leave benefits
If you work part-time for a local, state, or federal government, you may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid parental leave after your child is born under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The FMLA may also protect you if you work part-time for a private-sector firm that employs at least 50 people (whether in your precise building or in other offices nearby) for at least 20 weeks out of the year. To be eligible for FMLA parental leave benefits, you must have worked for your employer for at least 12 months and a total of 1,250 hours before your leave starts.
Part-time disability compensation
If you earn less than $1,260 per month from part-time employment, you may apply for Social Security short-term or long-term disability payments. This maximum is increased to $2,110 if you are blind. These figures are updated yearly. Following your application for a disability benefits package, the Social Security Administration may investigate your case further to decide whether it should continue to distribute payments to you.
Part-time retirement advantages
If you work 1,000 hours in a calendar year, you are entitled for the same employee retirement benefits that your business provides to full-time employees. You may be able to achieve this annual work requirement if you work at least 20 hours per week and take no more than two weeks off in any calendar year.
Part-time unemployment benefits
The ability to get unemployment benefits as a part-time job varies by state. Part-time employees in Pennsylvania, for example, who earn up to 30 percent of their full unemployment benefits rate from their job may still claim unemployment benefits, albeit the amount they get will be smaller. They forfeit their benefits if their part-time income exceeds 30% of their full unemployment benefits rate.
Part-time benefits for vacation
Part-time workers may be given vacation days by their employers. Unlike many other forms of benefits, there are no federal laws requiring businesses to provide vacation to part-time employees.
What are the best-paying careers for part-time workers?
Certain organizations are well-known for providing excellent care to its part-time employees. Here are ten organizations that provide the finest perks for part-time employees.
1. Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle provides part-time work with some of the greatest perks in the industry. Chipotle not only provides its part-time employees with health, vision, dental, and wellness care, but it also matches their 401(k) contributions after one year of employment and gives discounts to all employees. Additionally, full- and part-time workers are eligible for Guild Education educational support. Workers may save up to 99 percent on college expenditures and earn up to 44 credit hours with this program.
2. Macy's
Many Macy's part-time workers are eligible for health and retirement benefits, as well as flexible scheduling and on-the-job training. Employees also get discounts on all Macy's items, but perhaps the most unusual incentive is the chance to march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
3. REI
Part-time workers at REI who work more than 20 hours per week for more than a year are eligible for competitive benefit packages that include a variety of medical insurance for themselves and their family. The majority of the expenses for the medical plan, as well as all costs for the basic life and disability insurance, are covered by the firm.
There are also alternatives for eye care, orthodontia, and long-term care coverage. REI also provides employee discounts (50 percent off REI gear and clothing, 30% off vendor stuff, and 10% off sale items), Yay Days (one day off every six months for outdoor activities), and challenge awards (to put toward goals like climbing Mt. Everest).
4. Costco
Although hourly part-time employees at Costco must wait longer for benefits eligibility than full-time employees (180 days instead of 90), the national wholesale retailer offers part-time jobs with some of the best benefits available, including a competitive package with health insurance and dental and vision care; a 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution; prescription medication discounts; child care assistance; and life insurance. Employee premium contributions or charges are deducted pre-tax.
5. Lowe's
Lowe's Home Improvement provides several benefits to qualifying part-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as life and disability insurance. The organization also provides health and wellness initiatives, as well as learning and development opportunities.
6. Staples
Staples' part-time employee benefits package includes vision and dental coverage, life and dependent life insurance, accidental death, short-term disability, and a 401(k) plan.
7. Starbucks
All Starbucks workers, or "partners," are eligible to a variety of coverage levels for medical, dental, and vision plans, as well as life insurance, disability, and accident insurance. They may also be eligible for comprehensive healthcare and dependent care coverage, reduced stock purchase options, a 401(k) with a matching contribution, educational savings, and a time-off program.
Starbucks has formed a relationship with Arizona State University that enables all qualifying U.S. workers to get a bachelor's degree via ASU's online program while receiving full tuition reimbursement. Whatever rewards they choose, all partners get an in-store discount and one free pound of coffee, K-cup pack, or tea tin each week. Starbucks' extensive part-time perks rank them among the employers with the finest part-time benefits.
8. Kaplan's
Eligible part-time Kaplan workers may use a third-party firm to enroll in health insurance, a supplementary hospital plan, life insurance, dental and vision rider options, disability insurance, and prescription discount cards. Part-time employees and their immediate families are also eligible for free or subsidized Kaplan courses.
9. Brands of Coffee and Bagels
Coffee & Bagel Brands provides attractive benefit packages to all workers, based on eligibility, including medical, dental, and vision. Employees age 21 and older who have worked at any of the firm's franchisees for three months have access to a 401(k) program in which the company will match 25 cents for every dollar donated. Of course, every employee gets a discount at every company-owned business.
10. Cost Plus World Market
For qualifying part-time workers, Cost Plus World Market provides a limited benefits package for preventive care, health, and wellbeing.