Creating a fairer Britain
The Equality Act came into force on 1 October 2010. Some of the information on this page may be out of date.
Employers must treat part-time workers at least as well as full-time workers, unless the differential treatment can be justified objectively. This applies to:
Because many more women than men work part-time, unfair treatment of part-time workers may constitute indirect sex discrimination.
Temporary staff and employees who job share are also covered, as are workers who return to work part-time at a job they previously did full-time, such as after parental leave.
Find out more about part-time working.