Casual vs. part-time vs. full-time job
There's a stronger preference for permanent, full-time roles among job seekers in Singapore. But many are also seeking greater flexibility and work-life balance. Understanding the employment types helps you choose the right one for you.
It's essential to understand the differences between casual, part-time, and full-time work. Each type has merits that affect your professional goals. We offer a guide to understanding casual, part-time, and full-time employment. Here's what we'll cover:
- Difference between casual, part-time, and full-time work
- Working hours
- Salary
- Benefits
- Entitlements
- Dismissal
- Flexibility
- Overtime entitlements
- Tax considerations
- What should you consider before accepting a casual or part-time position?
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Difference between casual, part-time, and full-time work
Understanding the differences is key. They are between casual, part-time, and full-time work arrangements. They are crucial for navigating the job market in Singapore.
Each job type has pros and cons. They affect things like work hours, benefits, and job security. You can make informed decisions about your career paths and job preferences. Do this by laying out these differences.
Here are the key differences between the three:
Casual | Part-time | Full-time | |
Working Hours | Irregular and unpredictable | Less than 35 hours per week | Typically 40 hours per week |
Wages | Hourly or task-based | Hourly rate | Fixed-rate |
Benefits | Basic statutory benefits | Some benefits | Comprehensive benefits |
Entitlements | Statutory entitlements | Statutory entitlements, prorated leave | Statutory entitlements, leave provisions |
| Dismissal | Termination with shorter notice | Termination with shorter notice | Termination with a longer notice period |
Flexibility | High flexibility, ad-hoc scheduling | Moderate flexibility with set schedules | Structured schedule with standard working hours |
Overtime Entitlements | Entitled to overtime as per labour laws | Entitled to overtime as per labour laws | Entitled to overtime as per labour laws |
Tax Considerations | Taxed at the individual's applicable income tax rate | Taxed at the individual's applicable income tax rate | Taxed at the individual's applicable income tax rate |
Working hours
The working hours are the main difference between the three employment types. Here's a detailed overview of those differences:
Full-time work
Full-time hours often add up to 35 to 40 hours per week. This type of employment has a fixed schedule and guaranteed hours. Employees often follow standard eight-hour working days.
Part-time work
So, what are part-time jobs? A part-time employee works fewer weekly hours than a full-time worker. Part-time jobs typically total less than 35 hours per week. Employers often offer flexible schedules on set hours. This may include working evenings or weekends.
Employers and employees may adjust the terms of the offer. Here are five common examples of part-time jobs in Singapore:
- Retail sales associate: Retail sales associates work in a store. They help customers, stock shelves, and process transactions.
- Waitstaff/server: Waitstaff and servers serve food and drinks to customers. They work in restaurants or cafes. They work during peak hours or specific shifts.
- Private tutor: Education is highly regarded in Singapore. So, most parents opt for private tutors for their children. Tutors provide academic support to students part-time. They specialise in specific subjects or areas.
- Administrative assistant: They assist with office tasks. These tasks include entering data, scheduling appointments, and answering phones.
- Delivery driver: Delivery drivers transport goods or food to customers' locations.
Casual work
Casual jobs often have irregular and unpredictable working hours. The availability of work often determines your work hours per week. Casual positions are often short-term and project-based.
This type of employment may involve on-call responsibilities or seasonal work. Employers may ask you to work at short notice. Casual work is also subject to a fixed-term contract. Here are five common examples of casual work roles:
- Event staff: Events are typical in Singapore, from celebrity tours to live music. These events need helpers to help it run. Casual workers help at events such as concerts, conferences, or festivals as needed. They do tasks like ticketing, ushering, or setup.
- Freelance writer: These workers complete writing assignments or projects for various clients.
- Seasonal worker: You can find seasonal work in agriculture, tourism, or retail industries. It occurs during specific seasons or peak periods. In Singapore, peak tourist seasons are between December to June.
- On-call substitute: On-call substitutes step in for absent employees. They work in roles like teaching, healthcare, or hospitality as needed.
- Casual labourer: Casual labourers do manual tasks like landscaping, moving, or packing.
Salary
Salaries may be subject to the amount of work you do or your work hours. Here are the differences between the three employment types:
Full-time work
Full-time jobs in Singapore usually offer a fixed salary. The average full-time wage in Singapore is S$69,396 per year. Full-time employees often qualify for annual salary increases. The security of a full-time job contributes to your financial growth over time.
Part-time work
Part-time employees often earn hourly rates. Or they receive a share of the job's full-time salary. The income of part-time employees varies based on the number of hours they work. It's less common for part-time workers to receive annual salary increases.
Casual work
Casual jobs usually offer hourly rates. In some instances, casual workers' earnings depend on their output. Irregular hours can cause the income of casual workers to fluctuate. In some cases, they may receive higher hourly rates than full-time employees. The average hourly rate in Singapore is about S$11.
Benefits
There are a few fundamental differences in benefits between the three employment types:
Full-time work
Full-time jobs usually come with comprehensive benefits. Benefits might include health insurance and annual leave. Full-time employees often receive bonuses and other perks, such as dental insurance. This enhances their compensation package.
Part-time work
Part-time employees often have limited access to the same benefits as their full-time co-workers. Sometimes, the employer may offer part-time workers no benefits at all. Some companies may provide a scaled-down benefits package for part-time employees.
For example, they may provide partial health insurance coverage compared to full-time co-workers.
Casual work
Casual employees receive few or no benefits as a standard. In some cases, casual workers may gain access to some benefits. Companies usually offer these after a specific duration of service. Any coverage is usually less than the benefits full-time employees receive.
Entitlements
The Employment Act in Singapore protects full-time, part-time, and casual employees.
Here are the entitlements across the different types of employment:
Full-time work
Full-time jobs generally entitle you to all the benefits your workplace offers. This includes comprehensive coverage and access to various employment-related rights. Full-time employees enjoy robust security and legal protections. This contributes to a stable and secure work environment.
For example, leave entitlements include paid annual and compassionate leave.
Part-time work
Part-time employees often receive some prorated benefits. This reflects their low number of hours compared to full-time positions. Part-time employees get the same statutory entitlements as full-time co-workers. These include rest days and timely pay.
Casual work
Casual employees have basic statutory entitlements. Entitlement to paid annual leave depends on the hours you work in such a position.
As a casual employee, you may not have the same level of security as your full-time colleagues. Casual work contracts may also be subject to variations in demand or business needs.
Dismissal
The Employment Act applies to Singapore's full-time, part-time, and casual workers who have worked for at least three months. They're protected from wrongful dismissal, which is dismissal without just or sufficient cause.
The employer must also provide a termination letter and give due notice. Here's how job security may differ across various types of employment:
Full-time work
Full-time contracts generally provide better security. The contract may specify a more extended notice period. This would give full-time employees more stability.
Part-time work
Part-time workers may have less security than full-timers. There may be a shorter notice period in the contract as compared to full-timers. In some cases, employers may not specify the notice period in the contract.
Therefore, the notice period will depend on your length of service. According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the employer must only give one day's notice if you've worked for less than 26 weeks.
This difference in security may be a factor to consider if you want to work part-time.
Casual work
Casual work generally offers the least security among employment types. Companies often employ casual workers temporarily. The contract may not specify a notice period. You risk changes in demand, seasonal fluctuations, or short-term project needs.
These factors can lead to a higher chance of dismissal.
Flexibility
Generally, flexibility in working hours can vary based on your employment agreement. Here are some key differences between the three employment types in a typical setting:
Full-time work
Full-time work has limited flexibility in working hours. Permanent employees often stick to a standard schedule. Your employer may allow some flexibility for personal needs.
Any flexibility usually depends on your company's policies. Flexible working hours allowances usually vary between workplaces and industries.
Part-time work
Part-time work offers more flexibility in scheduling. This gives you greater control over your work hours. This flexibility is a crucial feature of part-time employment.
It contributes to a better work-life balance. You can usually adjust your work schedule to your personal commitments or preferences.
Casual work
You usually have flexible working arrangements as a casual employee. Companies often give you the option to choose when to work. This flexibility is a defining benefit of casual working hours. But it may also come with the drawback of needing to work at irregular times of the day. Casual positions depend on the immediate needs or demands of the employer.
Overtime entitlements
Part IV of the Employment Act covers employees in Singapore in terms of overtime pay. Employers cannot substitute overtime pay with time off for employees covered under Part IV of the Employment Act.
The entitlement would depend on the employment contract for those not covered under Part IV of the Employment Act. Here's how overtime entitlements can vary across different types of employment:
- Full-time work: For overtime work, the employer must pay employees at least 1.5 times the basic hourly pay rate. You must pay within 14 days after the last day of the salary period.
- Part-time work: Employees work more than their regular hours but less than full-time employees. They deserve payment at their basic hourly rate. If they work more than a full-time employee's normal hours, they should receive 1.5 times their hourly basic rate.
- Casual work: Overtime pay also applies to casual employees. If casual workers work more than the agreed-upon hours, they're entitled to overtime pay.
Tax considerations
This differs across the three types of employment:
- Full-time work: A full-time employee has to pay individual income tax according to the taxation laws in Singapore.
- Part-time work: Part-time employees receive similar tax treatment to full-time workers. But, the tax liability may be lower than in a full-time job due to your lower income.
- Casual work: If you're a casual employee, your income is also subject to tax.
What should you consider before accepting a casual or part-time position?
Accepting a casual or part-time position needs careful deliberation. This ensures the job aligns with your goals, commitments, and needs.
Here are some considerations to think about before taking a casual or part-time role:
Life goals and commitments
A part-time or casual role should align with your long-term life goals. Knowing how the role fits into your broader life plan is essential. Identify personal commitments that need consideration, such as your responsibilities or educational pursuits.
Lifestyle choices
Understanding how a job might impact your lifestyle is essential. Factors can include the flexibility of a role and its financial implications.
Focus on understanding how the job's flexibility aligns with your chosen lifestyle. Assess whether the role can meet your expenses and goals.
Career progression
It's also important to consider your career progression. Having a clear picture of your end goal can help you decide. Check that the job offer follows the career path you want. It's also helpful to identify potential avenues for growth. Make sure to widen your view of the company and the position on offer to the industry.
Work-life balance
Maintaining a healthy balance between your professional and personal lives is essential. Some part-time and casual jobs have a well-balanced work-life relationship. But there's no guarantee that these employment types will suit you.
Always take a close look at the contract and job offer. Ensure you understand how the nature of the role might impact your work-life balance.
Identify the demands of the job. Make sure that the role aligns with your preferences. Work out whether the job allows you to separate work from personal time. These considerations apply to both part-time and casual roles.
Skill enhancement and development
Assess whether the job offers opportunities for improvement. Part-time and casual roles that enable you to enhance and develop your skills are rare finds.
Always ask the employer if they offer staff development programmes when you apply for a job. Enhancing your skills can help you progress in your career and demand higher pay.
Job satisfaction and motivation
Landing a fulfilling job is the goal of job seekers. This need also applies to part-time and casual employees. Job satisfaction and the motivation to work should be the standard for employment.
This is why you should always look for employer reviews.
Check that the employer satisfies and motivates their employees. Always opt for companies that support employees' passion and interests. You can find full-time jobs on the Jobstreet website.
Networking and professional connections
Look for jobs that encourage networking and professional connections. You can use these connections as building blocks to expand and grow your career. Companies can help expand your connections for job opportunities.
It's also important to consider the quality of your connections. Look for networking opportunities that align with your goals, passions, and interests. Networking is also an excellent way to find part-time jobs.
Organisational culture and values
Finding companies where the culture and values align with yours can be challenging. But this is important to your motivation and fulfilment.
Always check reviews to get a grasp of the company's culture. It's essential to assess how the employer treats full-timers. Assessing this can help you understand how the company may treat part-time and casual employees.
Health and well-being
Understanding a job's impact on your health and well-being is important. Make sure to assess the stress level and demand the offer entails. Look for jobs that respect rest days.
While not a common offer, consider looking for roles that provide wellness breaks. This can include mental health breaks and additional rest days.
Conclusion
Navigating these three employment types requires an understanding of each option's distinctions. Knowing Singapore's labour laws by employment type is vital. You need to understand your rights.
Casual employment is flexible but lacks security. Part-time work offers a balance between work and life with proportional benefits. Full-time employment provides stability, fixed hours, and comprehensive benefits.
Consider aligning jobs with your life goals and commitments. Understand the financial and lifestyle impact of the job. Seek jobs that promote career progression, skill development, and work-life balance.
As you embark on your career, make intentional choices that align with your vision. Explore opportunities that meet your needs and contribute to your growth.
FAQs
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about full-time, part-time, and casual work:
- Should I choose casual or part-time work?
The choice between casual and part-time work depends on your preferences and lifestyle. Casual employment is flexible. Part-time roles have more predictable hours. Consider your financial needs, work-life balance, and career goals. - What are part-time hours in Singapore?
Working less than 35 hours a week is the definition of part-time work in Singapore. The range is specific. It can vary from a few hours to a set number of days. It depends on the employer's policies and needs. - What are the disadvantages of being a casual worker?
One disadvantage for casual employees is the lack of security and benefits. This is in comparison to a permanent or full-time employee. Casual employees may have irregular income. They may receive limited access to benefits like health insurance. They can also be more vulnerable to changes in the employer's needs. - Should I choose full-time or part-time jobs?
The choice depends on your personal and professional goals. Full-time positions offer more stability and benefits and a consistent income. Part-time roles offer flexibility but may have fewer benefits.
Consider your financial needs, professional and personal preferences, and long-term career objectives.
