Features and trends of part-time employment in the United States.

Abstract

The increasing proportion of part-time employees in the U.S. workforce has piqued the interest in many researchers. Part-time work appears to be an employment alternative for many people who want or need a job. On the other hand, studies show that there are many employers who are hiring more part-time employees for greater flexibility and to reduce labor costs. Flexibility and cost reduction have been obtained by offering lower wages, few fringe benefits, and other unfavorable working conditions for part-time employees, compared with full-time employees. This article describes the characteristics, trends and possible causes for the increase in part-time employees since the seventies and posits the need to evaluate alternatives to improve the wages, benefits, and working conditions that characterize their employment.