Part-Time Work: Rights, Responsibilities & Practical Tips
Whether you’re a journalist, content creator, PR professional, or digital designer, part-time roles can offer a great work-life balance — especially in a sector where freelancing and project-based work are common.
But what are your rights as a part-time employee? What responsibilities do you have? And how can you make part-time work a smart and sustainable career move?
This article covers everything you need to know.
📌 What Counts as Part-Time Work?
In the UK, part-time work is any role where you work fewer hours than a full-time employee in the same organisation.
There is no legal definition of how many hours that means — but typically, part-time means working under 35 hours per week, with some people working just one or two days per week, others working reduced hours each day.
⚖️ Your Rights as a Part-Time Worker in the UK
Thanks to the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000, part-time employees have the same rights as full-time staff.
This includes:
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Equal pay (pro rata)
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Paid holidays (pro rata)
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Sick leave and maternity/paternity rights
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Access to training and promotion opportunities
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Pension contributions
💡 Pro rata means your benefits (such as holiday or salary) are calculated proportionally to the hours you work.
🧾 What Responsibilities Do Part-Time Employees Have?
As a part-time employee, your responsibilities are largely the same as those of full-time staff:
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Meet deadlines and performance expectations
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Follow workplace policies and health and safety rules
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Communicate availability and work hours clearly
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Be a collaborative and reliable team member
However, you may need to be more proactive in ensuring you’re kept in the loop on meetings, updates, and opportunities — especially if you’re not in the office every day.
💼 Benefits of Part-Time Work in Media
Many professionals in the media industry opt for part-time roles to achieve:
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✅ Better work-life balance
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✅ Time for freelance or creative side projects
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✅ Flexibility for caring responsibilities or study
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✅ A gradual return to work after career breaks
🎯 For employers, offering part-time roles helps attract diverse talent — and retain skilled professionals long-term.
📆 What About Holidays and Bank Holidays?
Your holiday entitlement depends on the number of days or hours you work. The statutory minimum for full-time staff is 28 days, including public holidays. Part-time staff are entitled to a pro rata amount.
💡 Even if you don’t normally work on Mondays, you’re still entitled to a fair share of bank holidays — your employer must calculate this fairly.
💬 Tips for Succeeding in a Part-Time Role
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Be clear about your availability – and stick to it.
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Use your time wisely – focus on high-impact tasks during working hours.
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Stay visible – check in regularly with your team or manager.
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Ask for flexibility in return – part-time doesn’t mean less committed.
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Document your work – especially if you’re part of a larger project team.
📣 If you feel overlooked because you’re part-time, speak up. Legally, you have the same rights as everyone else.
🔍 How to Find Part-Time Media Jobs in the UK
Part-time roles aren’t always labelled clearly. When searching, look for keywords like:
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“Flexible hours”
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“Remote working”
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“Job share”
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“Reduced hours”
Best platforms to explore:
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The Dots
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Workingmums.co.uk
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Guardian Jobs (filter by “part-time”)
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LinkedIn (use filters for hours and location)
✅ Final Thoughts
Part-time work in media isn’t a second-best option — it’s a smart, modern way to stay in the industry on your own terms. Whether you’re looking for flexibility, focus or freedom, a part-time role can help you shape a career that fits your life.
📌 Looking for flexible media jobs in the UK?
Find part-time roles, freelance gigs and remote opportunities on www.mediajobs.uk – your go-to job board for the media industry.
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