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The EU ensures no discrimination against part-time workers and requires employers to take account of employee preferences as regards flexible working.
EU laws on part-time working
Summary: The EU ensures no discrimination against part-time workers and requires employers to take account of employee preferences as regards flexible working.
The objective of the Directive 97/81/EC of December 15, 1997 is to eliminate discrimination against part-time workers, to facilitate the development of part-time work on a voluntary basis and to contribute to the flexible organisation of working time that takes account of the needs of employers and workers.
Employment conditions
In respect of employment conditions, i.e. pay, pension, benefits, vacation entitlement etc part-time workers may not be treated less favourably than full time workers solely because they work part time.
Social partners (e.g. trades unions), or Member states after consulting with social partners, may where appropriate make access to particular conditions of employment subject to a period of service, time worked or earnings qualification.
Needs of employers and workers
Wherever possible employers should give consideration to:
- Requests by workers to transfer from full-time to part-time work that becomes available in the establishment
- Requests by workers to transfer from part-time to full-time work or to increase their working time should the opportunity arise
- Provision of timely information about availability of part-time and full-time jobs in the establishment.
For more information on this directive visit:
Part-time working
Factsheet