Full-time vs. part-time
Massachusetts does not have a legal definition for full-time or part-time employees.
"There is no legal distinction between part-time employees and full-time employees. Customarily, terms and conditions of part-time and full-time employees are similar, although benefits that are based on scheduled or worked hours are usually prorated. Employers are free (absent collective bargaining constraints) to establish entirely different terms and conditions for part-time employees."
From § 1.3.3 Part-time employees, Drafting employment documents in Massachusetts, 2021 (MCLE)
Black’s Law Dictionary definitions:
- Employee. Someone who works in the service of another person (the employer) under an express or implied contract of hire, under which the employer has the right to control the details of work performance.
- Full-Time Employee. One who is hired to work at least the normal number of hours in a workweek as defined by an employer or a statute, usu. 35 to 40 hours.
- Part-Time Employee. One who is hired to work fewer hours (usu. substantially fewer) than the normal number in a workweek as defined by an employer or a statute.
- Probationary Employee. A recently hired employee whose ability and performance are being evaluated during a trial period of employment.
- Seasonal Employee. An employee who is engaged to work for only a certain time of the year when a business anticipates a cyclical increase in demand.
Employers may define what counts as full-time and part-time employment within their organizations.
Web sources
Massachusetts workplace poster requirements, Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
A list of required notices that employers in Massachusetts are required to post.
Print sources
Massachusetts
Drafting employment documents in Massachusetts, 4th ed., MCLE, loose-leaf.
Employment law (Massachusetts practice v.45-45A), 3rd ed., Thomson Reuters, with supplement.
Labor and employment in Massachusetts, 2nd ed., Lexis, loose-leaf. (eBook available with library card)
Massachusetts employment law, 6th ed., MCLE, 2024.
Massachusetts employment law sourcebook and citator, MCLE.
General
Create your own employee handbook: A legal & practical guide for employers by Lisa Guerin, 10th ed., Nolo, 2021. (2023 eBook available with library card)
Dealing with problem employees: How to manage performance & personality issues in the workplace by Amy DelPo,12th ed., Nolo, 2024. (eBook available with library card)
The employer's legal handbook: How to manage your employees & workplace by Fred S. Steingold, 15th ed., Nolo, 2021. (2023 eBook available with library card)
The essential guide to federal employment laws by Lisa Guerin, 7th ed., Nolo, 2022. (eBook available with library card)
The essential guide to workplace investigations, 6th ed., Nolo, 2022. (eBook available with library card)
Manager's legal handbook by Lisa Guerin, 10th ed., Nolo, 2020. (eBook available with library card)
Your rights in the workplace by Sachi Barreiro, 11th ed., Nolo, 2018. (eBook available with library card)
Additional employment topical pages
For more specific employment topics, see these pages:
- Child labor
- Conflict of interest
- Disability rights in employment
- Discrimination
- Employee privacy
- Family and medical leave
- Gig economy (Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, VRBO, etc.)
- Heat in the workplace during winter
- Hiring
- Hours and conditions of employment (includes work breaks)
- Independent contractors
- Leave because of domestic violence
- Leave for jury duty
- Leave to vote
- Minimum wage
- Noncompetition agreements
- Overtime
- Parental (maternity and paternity) leave
- Professional licensure
- Sexual harassment
- Sick leave
- Small necessities act leave
- Termination (firing & quitting)
- Unemployment
- Uniforms
- Unions and collective bargaining
- Vacation leave
- Wages and salary
- Wages and salary (prevailing)
- Workers' compensation
Contact
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| Last updated: | June 10, 2025 |
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