What is the minimum and maximum number of hours one can work before being considered part time?

The United States Department of Labor, through the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), does not define full-time or part-time employment: www.dol.gov/compliance/topics/wages-other-full-time.htm. It is a matter left to agreement between employee and employer.

Whether an employee is considered full time or part time does not change the application of the FLSA. Also, FLSA does not limit the number of hours per day or per week that employees aged 16 years and older can be required to work: www.dol.gov/elaws/faq/esa/flsa/013.htm.

More specifically, you may be interested in the conditions under which an employee is eligible for benefits.Contact your company’s benefits manager, or review your Department of Labor Employment Retirement Security Act (ERISA) Form 5500. Form 5500 contains health and retirement benefit plan details including employee eligibility requirements.

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