The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are almost 25 million part-time workers in the US workforce. Many part-time jobs are being created because they are less expensive for the employer and may not offer benefits. However, you can find part time jobs with benefits if you know where to look.
Find a Part Time Job with Benefits
Several well-known companies offer benefits such as healthcare options, 401(k) plans, paid vacations, and employee discounts to their part time employees. The benefits may be limited or pro-rated for part-time employees.
Nationwide Retailers
The following retailers are a few of the companies that offer benefits to part time employees who work a minimum number of hours per week:
- Barnes & Noble -- Part-time workers receive healthcare, a 401(k) plan, paid vacation, and a considerable discount on store merchandise.
- Cost Plus World Market -- Eligible part timers are provided a limited benefit plan. Fill out the application online and submit it electronically.
- JCPenney -- Employees who work less than 35 hours per week are able to participate in a dependent care spending account and also receive medical, dental, vision, term life insurance, paid time off, and employee discounts on merchandise. You can search for locations that are hiring and apply online.
- Lands' End -- This company offers healthcare and retirement plans, employee discounts on merchandise discounts, paid time off, and a back-up childcare center. You can apply online for positions at both the distribution center in Wisconsin or for local in-store jobs.
- Lowe's Home Improvement Stores -- Lowe's part time employment provides a limited benefit health plan to part time employees along with dental plan, term life insurance and short-term disability. After working for Lowe's for one year, employees earn 40 hours of paid vacation time which increases with their length of service. You can search for a job by city, state, and position online.
- Nike - Employees working 20 - 30 hours per week qualify for health coverage the first day of the calendar year following one year of employment. Other benefits extended include: employee discounts as well as discounts on auto and homeowners insurance, and scholarships for employee children.
- Nordstrom -- Benefits offered by Nordstrom include: 401(k) plan and profit sharing, paid time off and bereavement, employee discount on merchandise, short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance. You can search online for your dream job at Nordstrom.
- Starbucks -- Eligibility for benefits for part time employees starts after 160 hours of work over a 2 month period. Life, medical, disability, and accidental death insurance are available to part-time employees. If you want a retail job, you can apply online for the location you are interested in; however, there are also professional positions in finance, business development, and HR as well as other departments.
- Walgreens -- Part-timers who put in at least 20 hours per week receive paid vacation time, flexible spending accounts, and personal leave. Employees who work at least 30 hours are offered "full-time" benefits: medical, dental, life and disability insurance. There are several different career areas that you can apply for online.
- Whole Foods -- Benefits extended to part time employees include paid time off, health insurance, retirement savings and an employee discount on items bought in the store. Employees are eligible after 400 hours. You can apply for a job online, in-store, or at a job fair.
- REI - Part time employees are eligible for health, life, and dental insurance on the Part-Time Plan on the first of the month after your date of hire. If you average more than 20 hours per week, you are eligible for the Flex Plan where you can select among various health care plans, vision care, long-term disability, and long-term care insurance. Find locations for the various available positions online.
- IKEA - Once you start working 20 hours a week, you are eligible for medical, dental, and vision insurance; after 6 months, you are able to enroll in the 401(k). There are positions in the United States and all around the world; you can find available positions here.
- Trader Joe's - Eligible part time employees can qualify for medical, dental, and vision coverage as well as paid time off, retirement plans, and store discounts. You can research and apply for various opportunities in local stores, management, and the home offices here.
Delivery Companies
If you're looking for something part time outside the retail field, you may want to seek employment with UPS or Federal Express. These companies offer full healthcare benefits (with dental and vision), disability, life insurance, paid vacation, 401(k) plan and more to part timers who load, unload, sort and deliver packages.
Other Part Time Opportunities
Health care is another industry that relies heavily on part-time employees. This includes onsite and off-site medical treatment facilities including:
- Hospitals
- Therapy facilities
- Dentist
- Physician offices
These part time jobs include office jobs and nursing positions with flexible schedules to accommodate rotation. Part timers enjoy the flexibility of part time hours and are often extended benefits including:
- Full healthcare
- Paid time off
- Tuition assistance
- Pension plan
- 401(k) plan
Government Positions
Another source of part time jobs which offer benefits includes government positions available through your local post office or other local government agencies. If you live near a national park, you can also check with the National Park Service. Benefits available through the post office include:
- Overtime pay
- Training
- Sick leave
Research Your Options
You don't have to work full time to receive benefits. There are other opportunities than those listed here; check with local corporations and organizations like banks and universities for further part-time opportunities with benefits.
