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Are part-time jobs as safe as full-time ones?

Part-time jobs are an essential component of an economy’s employment success. They help expand the talent pool and offer job opportunities for students and those who can’t pursue a full-time career at some point in their lives.

At the same time, people who work part-time develop transferable skills that are valuable for future reference and opportunities. This makes it easy to create the right abilities for a career in a flexible way.

This is why the number of part-time jobs in the UK has increased exponentially in the past decades, reaching 8.3 million in 2024. There are 24.91 million people with full-time jobs, so we can say there’s a considerable portion of part-time employees who contribute significantly to the economy.

However, despite the benefits of a part-time job, workers must withstand the risks, especially since most are gig jobs, such as ridesharing. So, how are part-time jobs?

Do workers receive protection similar to that of full-time employees?

According to the law, part-time workers benefit from the same workplace safety regulations as full-time employees. Therefore, their employers should follow the same rules for pay rates, pension opportunities, and holidays as any other type of employee.

But if there shouldn’t be any differences, why are most part-time employees treated poorly? In many cases, employers believe someone will always fill their positions as people need part-time jobs for additional income. Hence, they might lack the proper safety approach to them, but this is a case of breaching their duty of care. Part-time workers who get injured at work, whether they slip or fall, can file for compensation on https://www.accidentclaims.co.uk/ if they can prove the employer hasn’t provided the training necessary or the equipment needed for doing their job, which has resulted in an accident.

The “gig” economy and employee risk

Gig workers make our lives easier, as they’re usually the food delivery drivers bringing us lunch or the housekeepers employed to clean the office. Therefore, their role in society is essential, and without them, things would be more difficult.

Unfortunately, despite their work, delivery workers face the most challenging risks at work. In many cases, they need to do their work in bad weather, as they’re constantly monitored for their performance despite the conditions. This is the case for delivery workers who cannot afford a car at work.

On the other hand, drivers are also exposed to dangers as they pick up strangers from unfamiliar and unprotected areas. In several cases, drivers have been the victims of violence due to picking up intoxicated drivers, which has happened especially at night.

Gig economy workers deserve better conditions

Gig workers and part-time employees need improved work conditions. One of the most important factors is raising their wages, as many work many hours for an insignificant salary. This has often led to them overworking or putting themselves in dangerous situations just to increase their income.

At the same time, mandatory paid breaks are necessary for a worker’s well-being. Many drivers reported not taking breaks since they could lose their fares or receive fines for leaving their cars unattended. Additional safety protections are required, and governments should prioritise them more because, without these employees, we’d live in a much messier world.

Are there safer part-time jobs?

Fortunately, not all part-time jobs are risky. Of course, while most gig jobs are, there are opportunities for people who want to work a few hours a day from home for some pennies. For example, these are some typical part-time jobs:

For most of these part-time jobs, people don’t need specific education, so they can learn as they go or through rapid online courses. For freelance writing, for example, people need to know the language and grammar proficiently and be able to create valuable and eye-catching texts.

How can people protect their safety in a part-time job?

While employers don’t do much to protect their workers, employees must take the matter into their own hands and be wary of their position to know when to exit. Luckily, stepping out of a part-time job is as easy as getting hired, which is why people should realise they can walk out of a job that doesn’t serve them and find another.

However, being confident in doing this requires a varied set of skills, which people can use to transition from one part-time job to another. For example, those who do online tutoring might need to be able to write good texts for their students, which is a skill they can use to become freelance writers.

Acquiring more skills requires some time, but that’s the benefit of doing a part-time job. Considering how many platforms offer certifications for short courses on any subject, anyone can become more skilled with a few hours of studying per week. Some jobs will provide training on-site, so you can combine your skills with the company’s requirements, which will make it easier to perform well and adapt to the new workplace.

Do you think part-time jobs are safe?

Part-time jobs are some of the most important for those who can’t take a full-time job for various reasons. They provide a certain level of reassurance and some money to get by, which is why many UK people work part-time.

However, in many cases, these jobs are dangerous, especially for drivers and delivery employees who are exposed to prolonged hours and demanding customers. Better regulations regarding their safety are needed because gig and part-time workers are essential components of a country’s economy.

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