Part time jobs for everyone!

Jennifer McClelland | RSS | Sat, Dec 12 2009 | 1 Comment

Hundreds of thousands of previously full time workers who have been laid off have sought part-time work to pay the bills. In fact, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are almost two million more part time workers in the United States now than there were a year ago. Many of these people have been forced to trade the security of a hefty benefits package for a spatula and a hair net. However, if you know where to look, you may not have to trade those benefits.

“If you’re going to work part time, it’s best to work at places that consider part-time workers as integral to their success. For example, at Starbucks part-time workers hit the core of their organization, and because of that they’re going to be taken care of.” says Bob Nelson, president of Nelson Motivation, a benefits consulting firm.

Grocery stores tend to provide decent benefits packages. Some offer medical benefits, a 401(k) matching, profit-sharing and paid time off even to part time workers. These stores are also relatively recession proof so many are hiring and in some cases even expanding. If you are not into the food business, there are so many other places to go like:

1. Barnes & Noble: Part-time workers not only get a discount on purchases, but they also get transportation benefits to help them pay for getting to and from work. You only need at least 20 hours a week to qualify after only one year of employment. Benefits include: medical, dental, flexible spending, 401k matching (after 1,000 hours worked), transit benefits, paid sick days and a 30% employee discount on purchases.

2. IKEA: They are expanding their presence in America and bringing the European employee pride along for the ride. Once you get a job working 20 hours a week at IKEA, you automatically qualify for benefits without any waited time (except for the 401k). Benefits include: medical, dental, vision; 401k after six months of work. Depending on the hours worked, you may receive paid vacations.

3. Lowe’s: It looks like they want you to apply for a job there so you can “build something together.” They have flexible scheduling and there are no minimum hours per week or limitations required for collecting benefits. Benefits include: medical, dental, vision; life and short-term disability insurance; 401(k) plan with company match; prorated paid vacation, employee discounts.

4. REI: You can discounts on great gear and other products. Part-time and seasonal employees are eligible for medical coverage after just 30 days of work and they require you work at least 20 hours a week. REI covers 60%. Benefits include: medical, dental, incentive pay, retirement and profit sharing (depending on length of employment), tuition reimbursement, up to 12 weeks unpaid leave, 50% discount on REI products, 30% off miscellaneous alternate vendor products and 30% discount on trips with REI’s travel company.

5. Starbucks: This author has a close friend who almost got a job at Starbucks in the morning before her business started for the day just to receive cheap health insurance, and that was before the recession. Workers receive free beverages while at work, a 30% discount on merchandise and a free pound of coffee or box of tea to take home each week. You need three months of continuous work and at least 20 hours per week to qualify. Benefits include: medical, dental, vision; 401(k) plan with company match; paid vacation (after 12 months of employment), 30% employee discount, gym membership discounts, tuition reimbursement after 12 months of employment and free beverages while working.

6. Trader Joe’s: They won’t disclose much about their qualifications for benefits but will comment that in addition to a 10% employee discount, workers get free signature Trader Joe’s Hawaiian shirts and paid time off. We do not know how long you need to work there to get benefits, but part time workers can get up to 35 hours per week. Benefits include: medical, dental, vision; company paid retirement plan, 10% employee discount and disability insurance.

7. Wegmans: This grocery store chain is expanding throughout the Northeast now. For employees who want to take advantage of the colleges nearby, the company offers scholarships for college or continuing education. You only need 20 to 24 hours per week for one year of continuous employment to qualify for benefits. Benefits include: medical, pharmacy; 401(k) matching, paid vacations (varies by state), an option for profit sharing, employee discounts on purchases, flexible spending, scholarships, smoking cessation programs and discounted gym memberships.

8. Whole Foods: This store that prides itself in health really goes all the way. Whole Foods covers 100% of employees’ health-insurance premiums after they’ve worked 800 total hours. All employees and their spouses or eligible domestic partners also get a 20% discount on groceries. You must work 20 hours each week until you have accumulated 400 hours of tenure to qualify for benefits. Benefits include: medical, dental, vision, flexible spending, life and disability insurance, 401k, prorated paid time off, and a 20% in-store discount for employees and their spouses or eligible domestic partners. Sidenote: If you work at a Whole Foods in Los Angeles County, it is likely you will meet celebrities like Hayden Panettiere, Carrie Underwood, Hilary Duff, and Jamie Pressly. They are photographed coming out of Whole Foods by the paps a few days a week. If you do work at an LA County store, just remember to show up for work early so you can find a spot and get in. The photogs know how to crowd up a parking lot.

Related posts:
Highest paying blue collar jobs

Tags: employee pride, bureau of labor statistics, transportation benefits