This article also appears on Employee Evolution: The Voice of Millenials at Work.
One of the more annoying traits of being a part-timer (or hourly worker) is the lack of benefits. Now, in most cases you’re not entitled to these benefits because you don’t work hard enough. Economically speaking, I don’t contribute to the company enough to have my health care covered. Heck, most workers these days don’t even get that.
But, I had worked as an intern for a big company over a year. I had worked there longer and put in more hours than a number of new hires. Yet, they immediately get retirement benefits, paid sick days, vacation time and profit-sharing.
Why? I’ve contributed far more than they have. I worked 40 hours each week this summer! I was the one who contributed to that profit! How am I rewarded? I get to leave early the Friday before Memorial Day. Nice! Wait, no. That means less hours and therefore, less pay.
Sure, I’d rather be home but why do I get the sense I’m being cheated just a little? What about offering some part-time benefits for interns and seasonal employees?
- Telecommute time: Allow me to work from home on Friday. Heck, as long as I answer emails I can be anywhere, right?
- Discounts: You’re a big company, can you give me some other (B2B) perk like a cheaper wireless plan or maybe some food from the cafeteria?
- Paid-vacation: If you let me take a week off in the summer (and kept the paycheck coming) might I be more willing to come back to work refreshed and relaxed thanks to you?
- Monthly training: The worst feeling is knowing you haven’t learned anything new at your job. Send me to the courses that interest me. It’s better than an afternoon spent browsing YouTube.
- Intern trading: Let me explore another part of the company for a week or two. Put me in another group for a bit and see what happens.
Sure, some ideas may cost more than anyone is willing to put up. But, when you merely assign me as an hourly worker with a time-sheet don’t you think I have an incentive to maximize my time spent rather than utility generated? Keep me motivated, excited and interested and I’ll love to work for you.
The only problem here is that you
Hey Jack, good point. In some cases, the company does need an intern. Because, yes, we’re cheaper and will do the stuff that would be a waste of time (money) for others to do.
My last internship definitely created value for the company and it’d be silly to think that just because I’m part-time I’m doing less than some fresh-grad working full time. You know?
I am hungry to work, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity. At the same time, a Friday from home would’ve made me the happiest intern in the world. ;)
Yeah, I definitely agree with you- but while you’re important to the functioning of the company, you are also easily replaced!
In the perfect world, we all get Fridays off :)