Full Time Jobs

What is a Full-Time Job?

A full-time job refers to a form of employment in which the employee works the full slate of hours defined by his/her hiring employer. Full-time jobs typically come with benefits (such as health insurance, sick-leave and annual leave) that are not commonly offered in temporary, part-time or flexible employment packages. Full-time jobs are considered careers; an individual who has a full-time job is expected to hold that position (or an occupation within the same industry) for a number of years.

The precise number of hours worked for full-time jobs vary between companies. As defined by the United States government, the standard workweek consists of five eight-hour days for a total of 40 hours per week. The average workday also includes a 30-minute lunch; a full-time employee’s pay for this period is up to the discretion of his or her employer. If the employee’s schedule consists of a 4-day work week, the shifts will typically last ten hours.

The work hours attached to full-time jobs are not absolute; a full-time employee may work more or less than the common 40-hour week. Irregular shifts are common in retail positions and a number of professional arenas, including the medical or legal industry.

The specifics associated with full-time jobs are affirmed in the employment contract. This legally-binding document lists the employee’s expected conduct, his or her job function and the rules and regulations that govern their work. Moreover, the employment contract also solidifies the employee’s pay, attached benefits and his or her rights. If the employment contract is breached in anyway, the employee may be justly terminated or the employer may be questioned or sued if the actions precipitated an unjust termination or acrimonious action based on the employee’s race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, military status, pregnancy or ethnicity.

Laws Associated with Full-time Jobs:

When an employer hires a worker for a full-time job, they are required to pay the employee according to the federal (and state) minimum wage laws—an employer is not legally permitted to pay less than the federally-instituted rate or the state minimum wage level if higher than the federal standards. Individual states are permitted to increase the federal threshold to bolster a resident’s standard of living; however, they are not permitted to set a minimum wage below the federal level.

Workers who secure full-time jobs may not be fired based on their gender, sexual orientation, race, religious beliefs, ethnicity, political views, military status, pregnancy or any characteristic that is held separate from their work or their interactions with fellow employees. That being said, any conduct or action that is viewed as detrimental to the office (such as a failure to complete tasks, habitual tardiness or missed days etc.)--or job function--may constitute a termination. The laws surrounding terminations are covered in the individual’s employment contract. If the employee is laid-off as a result of the company’s insolvent business operation, they will be deemed eligible for unemployment compensation—these benefits are not awarded to individuals who quit or are fired for breaches of their employment contract. J.K.Rowling