Contrary to popular belief, part-time workers earn almost exactly as much as
their full-time counterparts, according to a new report from Trinity
University released by EPI. Further, according to EPI's report on part-time
employment -- released in conjunction with the Trinity University
research -- more than four out of five part-time employees are working
part-time jobs by choice, opting for the flexibility these jobs provide.
"The belief that part-time employees earn substantially less than their
full-time counterparts is yet another urban myth about employment issues
based on bumper-sticker economics," said Dr. Richard Toikka, EPI's chief
economist. "For instance, many people also believe women earn substantially
less than men. But when we account for such variables as years of experience
and fields of employment, the wage differential disappears. It's the same
with the part-time myth."
After accounting for myriad variables, including personal data, occupational
skills requirements and even job switching, Dr. Barry Hirsch of Trinity
University found that women working part-time earn 98.6% of what their
full-time counterparts earn, and men working part-time men earn 95.8% of
full-timers in identical jobs.
"In the last few years, organized labor and some policy makers have been
particularly critical of part-time employment," Dr. Toikka said. "One of
their goals is to establish the myth that most part-time employees would
prefer full-time employment. The facts say otherwise."
For family and personal reason, an overwhelming majority of part-time
employees prefer the flexibility of part-time employment. In 1997, only two
out of every ten part-time employees would have preferred full-time work to
the part-time job they held, according to 1997 US Census Bureau data.
Among the other findings from EPI's new part-time report:
- The average family income of a part-time employee is more than $53,000 a
year.
- Part-time employment is not on the rise.
- The majority of part-timers work for small businesses.
-- Article courtesy of SOURCE Employment Policies Institute.
