Types of employment

Types of Employment

Full-time Employment

  • Full-time employment usually means working for a leisure company or organisation for a minimum of 35 hours per week.
  • Full-time staff often have a contract of employment which outlines working hours, salary, benefits and terms of employment.
  • Benefits often include pension schemes, paid annual leave, sick pay, and access to training and development opportunities.
  • Stability and security are key features of full-time jobs.

Part-time Employment

  • Part-time employment often requires fewer than 35 hours of work per week.
  • Holders of part-time positions have flexibility in their schedules, and jobs may be seasonal or temporary, based on leisure industry needs.
  • While part-time employees may enjoy work-life balance advantages, there may be fewer benefits and job security.

Temporary Contracts

  • A temporary contract is used for a specific period, often to cover sickness, maternity leave or busy periods within the industry such as the summer holidays or Christmas.
  • Temporary contracts offer flexibility for both the employer and worker, but do not offer job security or a guaranteed income.
  • Employers have an opportunity to assess a worker’s performance before offering a permanent contract.

Self-employment

  • Self-employment defines those who run their own business within the leisure industry. This could include personal trainers, freelance sports coaches, or leisure event organisers.
  • Self-employed individuals have greater autonomy over work, potentially choosing the hours, clients, and fees.
  • However, they also carry more risk as income is not guaranteed and they must handle their own tax affairs.

Zero-hour Contracts

  • Zero-hour contracts are employment agreements where the worker isn’t guaranteed any hours, but has to be available as and when the employer needs them.
  • These offer ultimate flexibility for both parties, but with no guarantee of income, can lead to financial instability for workers.
  • This contract type is common in event-based leisure industries where demand can fluctuate extensively.

Voluntary Work

  • Voluntary work sees individuals giving their time for free, often for charitable organisations in the leisure industry.
  • Volunteers generally do not have contractual obligations, but gain experience, skills and may get an advantage when applying for paid roles within the industry.