What is a part-time employee typically defined as?

A part-time employee is typically defined as someone who works a specific range of hours each week, commonly between 10 to 38 hours. This classification often allows for pro rata benefits, which means that while part-time employees may not receive the full benefits that full-time employees do, their benefits are adjusted based on the number of hours they work. This arrangement recognizes their contributions to the workforce while also tailoring the benefits accordingly.

In contrast, working fewer than 10 hours a week could often be seen as very irregular or casual employment, which might not fit the standard definition of part-time. Working over 38 hours usually qualifies an employee as full-time and typically comes with a different set of benefits. The option that defines any employee not eligible for benefits is too broad, as eligibility for benefits may depend on various factors beyond just the hours worked. Thus, the definition provided in the chosen response aligns it accurately with standard employment classifications.