Part-time employment in Canada: A guide for employers

Part-time employees can give Canadian small and midsized businesses the flexibility to meet staffing needs without the same costs that come with full-time hires. But if your business has only ever employed full-time staff, you may be wondering:  

• How many hours is part-time?
• What are the differences between part-time and full-time work?
• Do part-time employees get the same rights and benefits as full-time staff?
  

This guide answers those questions and more so you can make informed hiring decisions and stay compliant with Canadian employment standards.

How many hours is part-time employment?

In Canada, part-time employment is generally considered to be fewer than 30 hours per week. There is no single federal or provincial law that defines part-time hours. Each employer can set their own definition of part-time in policy, as long as the policy complies with federal, provincial and territorial employment standards. 

What are the differences between part-time and full-time work?

Full-time employees generally work 30 to 40 hours weekly and may receive a wider range of employer-provided benefits, such as extended health or dental coverage. Part-time employees typically work fewer than 30 hours weekly, often on a fixed or flexible schedule. Their statutory rights are the same as those of full-time employees under employment standards legislation, but benefits eligibility may be prorated or denied depending on the employer and the insurer’s policy.  

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What are the advantages of part-time work?

Hiring part-time employees can be a strategic move for small and midsized businesses. The following are key advantages:

1. Lower payroll and benefits costs: Part-time hours typically mean fewer total wages paid compared to full-time roles. Employers may also spend less on benefits since some benefits plans are reserved for employees working a minimum number of hours per week.
    
2. Workforce flexibility: Part-time employment allows you to increase or decrease staffing levels to match demand, ideal for seasonal businesses, project-based work or fluctuating customer traffic.
    
3. Expanded talent pool: Offering part-time hours can attract skilled workers who can’t or don’t want to work full-time, such as students, caregivers, semi-retired professionals or people with other personal commitments.
    
4. Reducing overtime for full-time staff: Hiring part-time employees can lessen the need for your full-time team members to work overtime, helping to prevent burnout and boost overall morale. 

What are the disadvantages of part-time work?

While part-time staff can offer many benefits, employers should also weigh the potential drawbacks:

1. Limited availability and output: Part-time employees work fewer hours, so it may take longer for them to complete certain tasks compared to a full-time counterpart. This can impact deadlines and project timelines.
    
2. Scheduling changes: Coordinating multiple part-time shifts can create scheduling complexity, especially if employees have another job, school commitments or varying availability.
   
   
3. Less integration into company culture: Part-time workers may find it harder to form strong relationships with colleagues or fully engage in workplace culture. This may lead to lower engagement or reduced knowledge sharing.
   
   
4. Training and onboarding investment: Even if a part-time employee works fewer hours, they still require onboarding and training. This investment in time and resources may take longer to recoup than that of full-time work.

Examples of part time jobs

Hiring part-time employees can help you meet operational needs without overextending your budget. Here are common part-time roles across different industries and when they might make the most sense for your business:  

• Retail associate: Ideal for evenings, weekends and holiday seasons when customer traffic is highest
  
  
• Administrative assistant: Useful for small offices that only need light support with scheduling, invoicing and clerical work a few days a week
  
  
• Bookkeeper or accounting clerk: A smart option for growing businesses that need help reconciling accounts monthly or processing payroll but don’t yet need full-time finance staff
  
  
• Social media or marketing assistant: A part-time marketer can help with posting, content creation or campaign tracking without the cost of a full-time hire
  
  
• Food service worker: Restaurants, cafés  and catering services often rely on part-time staff to handle lunch rushes, weekend shifts or event support
  
  
• Receptionist or front desk coordinator: Useful for clinics, salons or wellness businesses that only need coverage during specific hours or peak times
  
  
• Delivery driver: Perfect for businesses offering local delivery, especially during high-demand windows
  
  
• Tutor, instructor or coach: Education centres, fitness studios and recreational programs often hire skilled instructors on a part-time or contract basis
  

Do you need part-time or full-time employees, or both?

Choosing between part-time and full-time employees depends on your business’s workload, budget and scheduling needs. Part-time staff can be a smart option if your work demand is seasonal or inconsistent, or if you only need coverage during specific hours or days. Part-time roles also help you tap into a broader talent pool, including students, caregivers and semi-retired professionals who prefer flexible or reduced hours.

On the other hand, full-time employees are often the better choice when you need ongoing coverage or need someone with specialized skills who can fully integrate into your team. Offering full-time hours and benefits can also make your job posting more attractive to candidates looking for long-term stability and career growth.

Staying compliant when hiring part-time employees

Even if part-time staff work fewer hours, employers must still comply with all relevant labour standards. Here are a few tips:

• Track all hours worked, even if they’re under 30 per week
  
  
• Ensure overtime pay is applied if part-time employees exceed daily or weekly limits
  
  
• Prorate vacation pay based on hours worked
   
• Clearly document the difference between full-time and part-time in your employee handbook or offer letters
  
  
• Review provincial rules for sick leave, breaks and termination notices
  

Learn more about managing part-time employees in Canada

ADP Canada’s article on part-time benefits explores how part-time work is defined across provinces, what benefits employers may be required to offer and how to balance compliance with employee satisfaction. 

FAQs

This article is intended to be used as a starting point in analyzing part-time hours and is not a comprehensive resource of requirements. It offers practical information concerning the subject matter and is provided with the understanding that ADP is not rendering legal or tax advice or other professional services.