Turn your part-time employees
into winners.
Part-time employees play a
valuable role in a small business. They help deal with fluctuations in workload
and can job-share with full-timers. In addition, because part-timers often look
for flexibility in hours, you may find a skilled worker whose schedule fits
perfectly with existing staff.
But part-timers can turn into
a liability if not managed well. You could end up with poorly motivated workers
who are unsure of their duties, unfamiliar with your company, and uncertain who
they report to. Here are tips to keep this from happening.
Think
before you hire. Decide what you want your new
employee to do, what work hours are expected, and who he or she will report to.
Does the position have well-defined duties? Or does the work involve filling in
wherever needed? Decide on the pay and benefits.
Communicate
clearly with your new part-timer. Explain the required duties and the chain of authority. Be
very clear on hours and benefits, while remaining flexible enough to
accommodate school or other commitments.
Communicate
clearly with your full-time staff. Explain why you're hiring a part-time employee. Clarify
what the new employee will and will not be expected to do. Designate who will
manage and assign work to the part-timer.
Make
the part-timer feel like part of the company. Provide introductory training
on specific duties and the company's business and policies. Assign a mentor or "buddy"
– someone the new person can turn to with everyday questions.
Monitor
progress. Don't forget about your new employee
after hiring. Provide feedback on performance and recognition for tasks well
done.
With a sound plan, hiring a
part-time employee can be a win-win situation.
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