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Original poster

What constitutes a full time job hours wise?

32 replies

Onedaystronger · 21/12/2023 14:12

I'm in the middle of a complicated issue wrt my job and a divorce. I am self employed and a sole trader. I'd rather not out myself but a similar job might be a self employed gardener.

I've been doing this job for 6 years. I work very hard, long hours, and I love my job. Not only that but I have caring responsibilities and a health issue that can flare up without notice. My job allows me to meet all work commitments despite these challenges because time wise it is very flexible. So, if my mum unexpectedly needs extra care on a Monday, or my health is poor on a Tuesday- I can delay my start time by a few hours, and work late. Or I can do it on a Sunday instead....

As part the divorce process I need to do all I can go "maximise earnings". I accept this and want to do all I can to earn as much as is feasible.

Ex's solicitor says that once I can prove I'm earning the equivalent of a full time job on minimum wage than that satisfies the requirement of maximising my earnings.

I believe I'm already doing that but I'm struggling to get a definite value for "full time hours on minimum wage" specifically how many hours it relates to I.e. what is considered full time in a more regular job.

Can anyone help?

OP posts:
justasoul · 21/12/2023 14:25

Not sure if it helps, OP, but when I worked in a big retail chain 35 hours was FT, 30 was PT.

ETA: not sure if it helps as not a legal definition so to speak.

Snowyballs · 21/12/2023 14:27

35 hours a week I would say.
so the old- 9-5 Monday to Friday with an hour for lunch

Twentymorequestions · 21/12/2023 14:31

I have to fill out surveys at work for ONS. One form asks for the number of employees on a particular date and also the split between full and part time. The form stipulates that anyone working over 30 hours per week should be classed as Full time.

Puddingpieplum · 21/12/2023 14:31

37.5 is widely accepted as full time in public sector, so £11.44 × 37.5, £429 per week.

Wonderwoman333 · 21/12/2023 14:34

37 hours or above

ethelredonagoodday · 21/12/2023 14:36

Twentymorequestions · 21/12/2023 14:31

I have to fill out surveys at work for ONS. One form asks for the number of employees on a particular date and also the split between full and part time. The form stipulates that anyone working over 30 hours per week should be classed as Full time.

I'm with you. I've seen several documents/reports referring to anything above 30hrs per week being classed as FT.

Sisterpita · 21/12/2023 14:36

Civil Service is 37 hours.

JaninaDuszejko · 21/12/2023 14:36

The government considers anything more than 30hpw to be FT.

dammit88 · 21/12/2023 14:42

I would say 37.5 hours but a quick google suggests 35 hours is commonly accepted as full time - who knew?!

dammit88 · 21/12/2023 14:43

You say you work long hours so I guess you must meet this requirement, so what is the solicitor on about?

cleaninglady123 · 21/12/2023 14:46

Full time hours @ min wage is around £1400 take home per month if that's any use.

Ilovemyshed · 21/12/2023 14:51

The standard 35 hours based on 5 WD at 7 hours.

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 21/12/2023 14:58

For benefits it is classed as 30+ hours. So I would go on that.

ActDottie · 21/12/2023 15:02

I always think 35 hours or more. But I’ve filled in surveys where the option for full time work is 30+ hours.

Justlovedogs · 21/12/2023 15:08

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 21/12/2023 14:58

For benefits it is classed as 30+ hours. So I would go on that.

I've always worked FT and have done 37, 37.5 and 45 hour weeks, but for your purposes, I'd suggest using the above as it's a quotable source (benefits calculator).

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 21/12/2023 15:22

At my workplace full time is 37 hours. Benefits state that full time is 30 hours unless you are in receipt of PIP then work commitment reduces to 16-24 hours.

SuddenlyOld · 21/12/2023 15:22

I work 34h and my company class me as PT. I suspect I would be classed as PT for taxman/redundancy/ pension /UTC etc.

christmaspaws · 21/12/2023 15:23

I'm on min wage and my workplace classes 40hrs as FT, 32 and 35hrs as PT

fatandhappy47 · 21/12/2023 15:24

37.5 usually

Daisies12 · 21/12/2023 15:25

35 hours or more

Pineapplemonkey · 21/12/2023 15:26

Twentymorequestions · 21/12/2023 14:31

I have to fill out surveys at work for ONS. One form asks for the number of employees on a particular date and also the split between full and part time. The form stipulates that anyone working over 30 hours per week should be classed as Full time.

I was about to say exactly this as I fill in the same (totally pointless and a waste of my time) forms!

SecondUsername4me · 21/12/2023 15:29

Full time could be argued to be anywhere between 35 and 40 hours per week.

Devilsmommy · 21/12/2023 15:30

37.5. pp was right in saying £1400 take home pm

ShinyBandana · 21/12/2023 15:32

I’m in university sector and it’s 35 hrs/week f/t. When I was NHS it was 37.5

TarantinoIsAMisogynist · 21/12/2023 15:35

I would say 35hrs per week. 7hrs per day, with lunch breaks unpaid.

It varies by sector and by employer, but 35 hrs is the lowest amount considered "full time" in any sector I've worked in.

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