Part-timer benefits

As i was listening to the radio this morning, a piece of news caught my ears unaware.

To digress, i'm going to start a new label called HR Issues. As part of my review, i'm supposed to do a bit of self-reading and self-studying, and this news is one ground breaking news where HR is concerned, and also the very first entry on 'HR Issues'.

I found the article here on TodayOnline.

It will look like this if you managed to grab a copy of Today Newspaper:



From the HR perspective, it's a new approach to really garner part-timers to join the organization, Now, why do companies need to hire part-timers? Well, for eg. if u are in the travel industry or the IT .... aiya! Basically it's those in the retail line lor. When u go to NATAS fair or COMEX, u see a lot of youngsters giving out pamphlets and stuff like that, isn't it? Well, these kids are there to help out, not always, only when required. And the money's alright.

You don't see NATAS happening at SUNTEC all the time right? If they are all permanent head-count, then what will they do during non-exhibition times? Sit, do nothing, rot and still get a pay. Which revenue-generating company in the right mind will do that?

In terms of hotel industry, where the article is relevant, it's more about housewives who are working as part-time chambermaids, where they only need to report in about 4 hours a day for 5 - 6 days a week, and they do their job and go home, to take care of their family. And yeah, i think that's the main reason why they don't take up a permanent job - they want to care for their families!

But of course, being a part-timer have pros and cons.

Pros include the flexibility of time, though accountability MUST still be present. They may not need to work 5 full days, and have flexible work timings to accomodate their family needs.

Cons is definitely more: No sick leave. If u don't come to work, u get no pay for that day, period. If fall sick, also cannot take care of their family.

And for any other new entrants looking for a job, they WON'T (I re-emphasize: THEY REFUSE) to do part-timing for a long while, because they are not protected. There is no security at all. If it's a 2 week job, it's fine. Not when it's a year's worth of part-timing.

I must say, Kudos to MOM, for the funding for companies to be able to grant companies leeway to give better security to their part-timers. This makes the companies more attractive to job-seekers alike.

Now, the million-dollar question: Does it work for every other industry?

I'll say; not necessary. Probably for the service line, but not others.