The Differences between Full-time Employees and “Core Part-time Employees”

The Dilemma in Japanese Equitable Treatment

Abstract

This article aims to discuss the differences between full-time employees and “core part-time employees” in retail outlets. Although most of the foregoing studies focused on the overlapping of the tasks assigned to both the groups, we have progressed to the next stage of addressing the overlapping or the differences between elements other than tasks, i.e., responsibilities, careers, and on-duty hours. This analysis uses the data obtained from interviews and questionnaires (Nishino 2003-2004). The term “core part-time employee” refers to a part-time employee who works more than 120 hours per month.
The findings of this analysis are as follows : (1) the tasks that both the groups engage in overlap considerably; (2) the range of responsibilities pertaining to their sales differ between the two groups, even though the designations are the same within the outlets; (3) the gap with reference to job experiences widens as the employees of the two groups get promoted within their outlets; and (4) the on-duty hours of the full-time employees are considerably longer than those of the “core part-time employees, ” because they have to work “flexibly” and overtime in response to their firm's request. Based on these findings, it is concluded that the advanced utilization of part-timers has reached its limit at present.
According to the interviews conducted, some companies adopt a strategy wherein they employ a smaller number of full-time employees and allow them to specialize in managerial jobs. It is then possible that the gaps between the two groups with reference to the above mentioned four elements may become wider again. In order to promote equitable treatment, the existing approach focusing on the overlapping of their tasks will not be effective. A completely different approach needs to be adopted in this regard.