Introduction
If you are working in the state of Arizona, your rights as an employee are protected by state and federal law. Both the Arizona legislature and the federal government have enacted laws that guarantee fair treatment of workers, minimum wages, safe work environments, and the benefits that employees can receive.
While fair treatment, minimum wage, and safe work environments are required in every workspace, the benefits and wages that an employee is eligible for depending on the number of hours they work and how they are paid. For instance, employees who are paid hourly are eligible for time and a half pay after working 40 hours per week, but employees on salary do not qualify for time and a half.
If you are not a salaried worker, the number of hours you work directly affects the benefits you are eligible to receive and the amount you will be compensated.
What is Considered Part-Time Employment in Arizona?
Generally, part-time employees work fewer hours than their full-time counterparts. In addition to working fewer hours, part-time employees also have fewer responsibilities as well as they are entitled to fewer benefits.
In Arizona, to be considered a part-time employee, an individual must work no more than 30 hours over a seven-day period or if they work less than 130 hours per month. So long as an employee meets these criteria, they are considered to be part-time employees.
What is Considered Full-Time Employment in Arizona?
Traditionally, full-time employees work roughly 40 hours per week. While this is the traditional amount, the ACA defines full-time employees as any individual who works 30 or more hours per week.
Due to this discrepancy of almost 10 hours between the traditional number and the ACA’s, it’s important for employees to check with their employer to see what their definition is for a full-time employee. If the employer states that their requisite for full-time work is 35 hours, this is the number the employee should operate off of.
What Benefits Are Full-Time Employees Entitled To?
1. Steady Income
Unlike part-time employment where the hours are sporadic and differ from week to week, full-time employees are required to work a fixed amount of hours each week. Due to the fixed number of hours they work each week, full-time employees know what to expect with each paycheck.
2. Insurance
While there is no state law requiring employers to offer health insurance to their employees, most employers provide this benefit for their full-time employees. If any health insurance is provided, Arizona’s insurance laws require the policies to cover certain mandated benefits and give employees the right to continue their coverage in certain circumstances if they lose their coverage.
3. Retirement Planning
Full-time employees are eligible for a tax advantage that allows them to invest in a 401(k) retirement plan that helps them to prepare for their future. Some companies offer an employer contribution match where the employer matches a percentage of the employee’s contributions.
4. Social Security Benefits
Working full time increases the amount that an employee will contribute to social security, which helps them receive more benefits in the long run. Social security credits are earned as you work and pay taxes, and the more you work and earn, the more you will have when you retire or if you become disabled.
5. Are Full-Time Employees Guaranteed Paid Time Off?
Many employers offer their employees benefits such as vacation time, sick days, holidays, and even paid time off (PTO). While it may be common for employers to offer these benefits, Arizona does not require employers to offer paid sick days or PTO.
Even though Arizona does not require businesses to pay their employees PTO, it is possible that they still offer it to their employees. Employees should check with their handbook or with their manager to see if they offer this benefit.
6. Working With a Labor and Employment Law Attorney
Suppose you are a full-time employee who is not being paid for overtime work, dealing with sexual harassment, or being discriminated against in the workplace. In that case, it’s important for you to hire an employment law attorney to assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve as well as obtaining the workplace changes you deserve.
If you are an employer, you must be prepared for false claims against your company as well that your employees are following the employment agreements they signed when taking the job. If you are looking to protect your business or audit it to ensure that everything is above board, the employment law team at JacksonWhite is here to help.
Call our Employment Law team at (480) 464-1111 to discuss your case today.