Receiving a job offer is an exciting time, but there are many questions that come with it. It means that a candidate’s skills and experience as a part-timer are valuable, and the company wants to hire him/her.
A part-time job requires a person to work fewer hours per workweek than their employer considers full-time employment. However, because there is no set number of hours per week that are legally considered full-time or part-time employment, it is up to the employer to determine which positions are classified as such.
In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about a part-time offer letter, including samples and templates you can use to meet your needs.
What is a Part-Time Job?
Part-time work is appropriate for those who do not want or require the effort and/or time commitment that a full-time job entails. In fact, There are no legal requirements that determine whether an employee is part-time or full-time. The Fair Labor Standards Act, which establishes legal requirements for wages, hours, and overtime in the United States, does not specify how many hours per week are considered full-time employment. Workers who work 35 hours per week are considered full-time by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), but this is only for statistical purposes.
What is a Part-Time Offer Letter?
A part-time offer letter is an official document that an employer sends to a job candidate to offer them a position. The offer letter typically outlines the key terms of employment, such as the job title, start date, salary, benefits, and any other important job-related details. It serves as official confirmation of the job offer and ensures that both the employer and the employee are on the same page regarding the terms of employment.
When is a Part-Time Offer Letter Issued?
Typically, a part-time offer letter is issued after a job candidate has successfully completed the interview process and has been selected for the position. The employer typically sends the offer letter after the candidate has accepted the verbal offer and provides a formal, written confirmation of the job offer.
The timing of the offer letter will vary depending on the employer and the hiring process in question. In some cases, an offer letter may be sent the same day as the verbal offer, whereas in others, it may take several days, a week, or more.
What to Include in a Part-Time Offer Letter?
Make sure to include these details in your part-time offer letter:
- Job Title: The job title and job description of the position being offered should be clearly stated in the offer letter.
- Start Date: The offer letter should include the start date of the job as well as any conditions that may affect the start date.
- Salary: The salary offered, as well as any bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation, should be clearly stated in the offer letter.
- Benefits: The benefits offered should be outlined in the offer letter, including health insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, and any other benefits relevant to the position.
- Work Hours: The offer letter should include the typical work hours as well as any flexible arrangements.
- Job Location: The job location and any necessary travel requirements should be clearly stated in the offer letter.
- Probationary Period: The offer letter should state whether or not there will be a probationary period and the terms of the probationary period.
- Termination: The terms of employment termination, including any notice periods and severance pay, should be specified in the offer letter.
- Non-Compete Agreement: A non-compete agreement, which limits the employee’s ability to work for a competitor after leaving the company, may be included in the offer letter.
Steps to Write a Part-Time Offer Letter
Here are the steps in writing a part-time offer letter:
- Begin by providing basic information about the position you’re offering
Begin your letter by informing the recipient of the job title you’re offering them and the primary responsibilities of the position. You could also include the name of the department or supervisor in which the person will be working.
- Include compensation in hourly, weekly, or monthly terms
After you’ve given the person basic information about the position you’re offering, tell them how much your company will pay them for their efforts. Even if they are paid an annual salary, avoid mentioning it in your offer letter as an annual amount, as this may imply that you intend to hire them for at least one year.
- Detail health insurance, bonuses and other benefits
In the following section of your letter, inform your potential new hire about the benefits your company provides, such as health insurance, dental insurance, and retirement plans. You are not required to go into detail about the plans in the offer letter. You can, however, inform the potential new hire when and how they can obtain more information about these plans.
- Include any contingencies or legal requirements
Normally, an offer letter would not be sent until any prerequisites, such as a drug test or background check, had been met. If the results aren’t in yet, you’ll still need to inform your potential new hire that the offer is conditional on a positive outcome. You should also include any information you require from them, such as proof of licenses or certifications.
- Include other documents that might be helpful to your potential new hire
In addition to the letter, you may want to provide your prospective new hire with brochures outlining your insurance plans or other employee benefits. Employee handbooks and copies of company policies are also recommended.
- Set a deadline for the recipient to accept the offer
You should usually end your offer letter by telling the potential new hire that if they want to accept the offer, they should sign the letter and return it to you. You don’t want the offer to linger. A week or two is usually sufficient time for the recipient to decide. However, if you need to fill the position quickly, you might want to give them less time. You should explain briefly why the duration of the turnaround is so short.
- Before you send it, have an attorney review it
If you aren’t intending for your offer letter to be a contract, make sure there is no language in it that could be interpreted as such. An attorney can assist you in identifying potentially problematic language in your letter.
Sample and Template
Here’s a sample and template of a part-time offer letter that you can use when writing your own.
Sample 1: Part-Time Offer Letter Template
To help you write your own part-time offer letter, we provide a downloadable template for you. Take a look at this one:
[Date]
Dear [Recipient’s name],
I am pleased to offer you part-time employment with [company name] as [job title] beginning on [proposed start date] on behalf of the company. Please carefully read this document for important information about your anticipated compensation, benefits, and terms of employment with [company name].
You will be paid an hourly wage of [insert hourly pay rate] during your employment. Your salary will be paid in regular installments in accordance with the company’s standard payroll process, and it will be subject to applicable tax and other withholdings [if applicable, please specify whether your company pays on a bi-weekly, weekly, or monthly basis]. You will be entitled to overtime pay as a non-exempt employee.
We’re also providing [describe bonus details, commission structure, stock options, and compensation committee rules here if applicable] as part of your compensation.
As an employee of [company name], you will also be eligible for [list specific benefits, perks, and insurance options if applicable].
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Full Name]
[Your Position Title]
Sample 2: Example of Part-Time Offer Letter
Here’s an example of a part-time offer letter that you can customize to fit your needs.
October 22, 2019
Dear Mr. Jacob Athens,
On behalf of the company, I feel honored to offer you part-time employment with ABC Company as a Media Developer beginning November 20, 2019. Please read this document carefully as it contains critical information about your expected compensation, benefits, and terms of employment with ABC Company.
You will be paid an hourly rate of Rs. 700 per hour during your employment. Your salary will be paid in regular installments in accordance with the company’s standard payroll procedure, subject to applicable tax and other withholdings. You will be eligible for overtime pay as a non-exempt employee.
You will not be eligible for company-sponsored benefits or paid vacation as a part-time employee of ABC Company.
Sincerely,
Melissa Clein
HR Recruiter
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Final Thoughts
- After the candidate has accepted the verbal offer, the employer usually sends the offer letter as a formal, written confirmation of the job offer.
- Begin your letter by informing the recipient of the job title and primary responsibilities you are offering them. After you’ve given the person the fundamentals of the position, tell them how much your company will pay them for their efforts.
- Inform your potential new hire about your company’s benefits, such as health insurance, dental insurance, and retirement plans, in the following section of your letter.
- Usually, an offer letter would not be sent until any prerequisites, such as a drug test or background check, were met. In addition to the letter, you may want to provide your potential new hire with brochures emphasizing your insurance plans or other employee benefits.
- End your offer letter by telling the potential new hire that if they want to accept the offer, they should sign the letter and return it to you. If you don’t want your offer letter to be interpreted as a contract, make sure it doesn’t contain any language that could be interpreted as such.