Sea You at Fetch Long Beach
Logo Image
News|Articles|October 1, 2004

Handling benefits for part-timers

Most part-time employees don't qualify for health insurance, retirement, or other employee benefits. And you must offer fair and equivalent benefits to all team members, regardless of whether they're a new hire or a 15-year veteran at your reception desk. If you don't, you're asking for a discrimination case.

Most part-time employees don't qualify for health insurance, retirement, or other employee benefits. And you must offer fair and equivalent benefits to all team members, regardless of whether they're a new hire or a 15-year veteran at your reception desk. If you don't, you're asking for a discrimination case.

Here are three key steps to take when handling benefits for part-time employees:

  • Consult your state employment agency and your lawyer to make sure you know the rules and to get answers to any questions you have.

  • Make sure you clearly define full- and part-time employment and benefits in your employee manual so team members understand your policies.

  • Finally, apply your policies consistently to avoid stepping on any legal landmines.

Related to this article

View more
Q&A: Caregiver burden can begin early in pet illness. Are veterinary teams equipped to support clients, and how can veterinary social workers help both parties?
Q&A: Caregiver burden can begin early in pet illness. Are veterinary teams equipped to support clients, and how can veterinary social workers help both parties?
Caroline Cox, LSW, MSW, and Erika Krick, VMD, DACVIM (Oncology), discuss the role of veterinary social workers in supporting clients, communicating with veterinary teams, and helping practices address the human side of veterinary care in this Q&A from an interview at the 2026 Fetch National Harbor Veterinary Conference.
Read more
Inside veterinary social work
Inside veterinary social work
In a slideshow drawn from an on-site dvm360 interview at the 2026 Fetch National Harbor Veterinary Conference, a veterinary oncologist and a veterinary social worker walk through how the role supports owners and staff across a pet's cancer diagnosis, treatment, and end-of-life care.
Read more