How Many Hours is Part-Time in Florida? (2022 Guide)

How many hours is part-time in Florida? Employment law and status can be perplexing, particularly for new employees. Various legislation, rules, and internal policies can define your job status, influencing your access to corporate benefits, government assistance, and appropriate wage law, depending on where you are.

The phrases "part-time" and "full-time" are particularly perplexing. There is no legally prescribed definition of these phrases in Florida. Employers have complete control over their internal policies. Part-time and full-time worker laws usually stipulate how many hours an employee must work to be covered by the related legislation.

The actual amount of hours varies from state to state. For example, to be insured by the Affordable Care Act (ACA or 'Obamacare') an employee must work 35 hours per week. Still, an employee only has to work 20 hours per week to be covered under comparable Florida health care statutes.

Florida Part-Time Hours and Full-Time Hours

Many people you might believe are employees are categorized as independent contractors in today's market. Ride-sharing drivers, for example, may appear to be workers, but they get categorized as independent contractors. The distinction lies in the finer points. It may not seem like it in your day-to-day life. Still, independent contractors are often not entitled to certain employment protections, so double-check your classification before deciding whether anything we discuss below applies to you. If you receive a W-2 at the end of the year, you may rest assured that your employer has categorized you as an employee. If you obtain a Form 1099, on the other hand, you are likely to get categorized as a contractor.

You should also be aware that some businesses take advantage of the independent contractor restrictions to avoid complying with applicable laws and regulations. Contractors should have more flexibility in setting their hours, directing their work, subcontracting tasks, and working for many customers simultaneously. If any of these actions are restricted by your employer, you may be categorized as a statutory employee. Statutory employment is outside the scope of this essay, and if you believe your employer has misclassified you to evade regulation, you should see a labor attorney.

With these restrictions in mind, here's how some of Florida's most prevalent laws and programs define part-time vs. full-time employment:

Employees are deemed qualified for the Affordable Care Act (which decides access to healthcare coverage) if they work more than 35 hours per week.

You must otherwise work a defined amount of hours each week for an entire year to be eligible for Florida state unemployment compensation from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for a reduction in working hours.

According to Florida law, employees are covered by corporate health insurance if they work twenty or more hours per week.

A whole working week is considered 40 hours for overtime purposes. Hourly employees who work more than this amount of hours, whether they get classed as part-time, must be given overtime compensation.

Part-time employees are entitled to overtime pay in Florida

When it comes to overtime compensation, Florida follows the federal law when defining full-time employees. For every hour worked above 40 in a single week, an employee must get overtime compensation (usually 150% of the basic wage).

Is 20 Hours Per Week Considered Part-Time?

Most laws will categorize you as part-time if you work 20 hours or less per week, and your employer will not be legally compelled to offer benefits under state or federal law. Working more hours would qualify you for healthcare coverage under Florida law.

Is 32 hours per week a part-time job?

32 hours per week is considered full-time under Florida benefits legislation. Therefore you would be qualified for benefits. However, under the Affordable Care Act, you would not be covered unless you worked 35 hours every week.

In Florida, how many hours can a part-time employee work?

There is no restriction to the total number of hours an employee can work in Florida. Employers who pay their employees by the hour must obey all applicable laws. According to federal law, an employer that provides brief breaks (less than 30 minutes) must continue to pay that employee. Meal breaks that go more than 30 minutes are not required to get compensated. Employers are not required by federal or Florida law to provide breaks in the first place, but most do it out of habit.

If your employer classifies you as part-time to avoid giving benefits, they cannot have you work more than 20 hours per week. Otherwise, you'd be eligible for medical insurance under Florida's healthcare regulations.

What should I do if my boss refuses to offer me perks or overtime pay?

If you have reason to suspect that the hours you work for your company qualify you for benefits, contact your HR department first. Make sure to show them your job records and inquire if you are entitled to benefits. If their response isn't adequate, you should consult a labor lawyer to see if the law affords any redress.

Employers must reply to an employee's allegation of unpaid overtime within 15 days for overtime pay. Employees have the right to sue for up to two years of unpaid overtime (three years if there is proof the withholding was purposeful). Plus liquidated damages equivalent to the entire amount of extra pay if their employer dismisses their claim or does not answer within fifteen days.

Employees who file a successful lawsuit may be entitled to double their entire salary in damages. You'll be paid twice as much as before if you're successful, plus attorney and court costs. To be successful, you'll need to keep meticulous records of your working hours and employ an attorney to help you finish the procedure.

Common Full-time Hours vs. Part-time Hours Questions

How many hours does it take to work full-time?

Full-time gets defined by the IRS and the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) as anyone working 30 hours or more per week or 130 hours per month. The United States Department of Labor does not define full-time employment.

If your organization is not classified as an Applicable Large Employer (ALE) by the IRS, these definitions may not apply to you. Companies with less than 50 employees are generally not deemed ALEs. However, this might vary depending on various factors.

State regulations may also define full-time to get certain benefits, and rules such as COBRA may impact.

What's the difference between working full-time and working part-time?

Employers choose how many hours a week are considered full-time and part-time and the distinctions between the two. Benefits and health care get frequently limited for part-time employment. A part-time employee, for example, may not be eligible for paid time off, health insurance, or paid sick leave.

What is the minimum number of hours a full-time employee must work?

The US Department of Labor does not define a full-time employee, but the IRS and the Affordable Care Act (often known as Obamacare) describe it as working 30 hours or more per week or 130 hours or more per month.

If your organization is not classified as an Applicable Large Employer (ALE) by the IRS, these definitions may not apply to you. Companies with less than 50 employees are generally not deemed ALEs. However, this might vary depending on a variety of factors.

Full-time may also be defined by state regulations to get certain benefits, and rules such as COBRA may have an impact.

What kinds of occupations are appropriate for part-time work?

Part-time jobs have traditionally been the realm of retail, fast food, and hospitality workers, as they require flexible hours to suit fluctuating demand. However, more professionals are increasingly working part-time to allow greater freedom for both the individual and the business.

Is working 32 hours a week considered part-time?

While most businesses define full-time employment as between 32 and 40 hours per week, the Affordable Care Act stipulates that a part-time worker works less than 30 hours per week. A 32-hour workweek is considered full-time under the Affordable Care Act.

Is it possible for a part-time employee to advance to a full-time position?

A temporary adjustment may turn into a long-term one, and a part-time employee may get forced to work full-time hours for a lengthy period. You'll want to have a policy in place that specifies when a part-time employee becomes a full-time employee to give benefits uniformly across your business and avoid any potential IRS and ERISA breaches.

Am I going to apply for overtime?

The FLSA restrictions on exempt and non-exempt employees apply to part-time workers' overtime. Part-time employees may be required to work overtime or more than 40 hours a week occasionally. This policy may occur during a company's peak season, when a full-time employee cannot work, or when other circumstances change. Most likely, you'll have to pay a part-time employee overtime, but make sure you read the guidelines beforehand.

Is there a right to vacation for part-time employees?

Employers are not required to provide vacation time to part-time employees. On the other hand, part-time workers are frequently given time off by their employers. Typically, this gets done on a pro-rata basis.

What rights do part-time workers have?

Part-time workers often do not have access to the same health and retirement benefits as full-time employees. They are entitled to a minimum pay and meal and rest intervals that are proportional to the length of their shift.

Part-time employees are entitled to how many sick days?

Mandatory sick leave laws are only in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. While there are no federal rules requiring sick leave, states vary in their policies, ranging from five to fourteen days.

How many hours does part-time work entail?

Employers usually decide whether employees work full-time or part-time hours each week. According to the US Department of Labor, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not define full-time or part-time work. On the other hand, the IRS considers someone to be full-time if they work 30 hours or more per week or 130 hours or more per month.

Additional resources

• What are part-time hours?
• Changing from full-time to part-time
• How many hours is part-time in California?
• How many hours is part-time in Texas?
• How many hours is part-time in Florida?
• How many hours is part-time in New York?

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