Full-Time vs. Part-Time: What Type of Employee Should I Hire for My Warehouse or Factory?

If you run a warehouse or factory, you know how important it is to have the right people on your team. But when it comes to hiring, you might be stuck deciding between full-time or part-time employees. In Ontario, full-time work is generally considered to be between 30-40 hours per week, while part-time work is anything less than 30 hours per week. Each option comes with its own set of advantages and challenges, and what works for one business might not be the best choice for another.



Whether you’re trying to keep costs down, deal with fluctuating demand, or find workers who’ll stick around long-term, choosing the right type of employee is key. In this article, we break down the advantages and disadvantages between full-time and part-time employees to help you figure out which option is best for your factory or warehouse, especially if you're balancing things like seasonal demand, budget, and employee retention.

Benefits of hiring full-time employees for your factory or warehouse

What can full-time employees offer your business? There are a number of advantages you’ll be able to benefit from if you take this route:

• Stability and consistency: Full-time employees bring a level of stability to your business. Since they’re committed to a full work schedule, they tend to stay around longer, giving you consistency on the shop floor. That’s especially important if you’ve got a solid routine or need workers who can handle things long-term.

• Training and development: When you hire a full-time job seeker, you can invest more in their training and skills development. Since they’re sticking around, it makes sense to put time and money into getting them up to speed on all your equipment and processes. Over time, these workers can become experts who know your operations inside and out.

• Morale and company culture: Full-timers often feel more connected to the company and its goals. They’re around every day, so they get a better sense of your company culture, and they can help build it too. Plus, they’re more likely to bond with the team, creating a stronger sense of unity, which can improve overall morale.

• Availability: Since they work a full schedule, full-time employees are usually more available when you need extra hands. Whether it’s for overtime or handling an emergency, they’re more likely to step in when things get busy, giving you that extra reliability you can count on.

Benefits of hiring part-time employees for your factory or warehouse

Now, part-time employees can also benefit your business. However, the advantages they offer are quite different from full-time employees.

• Flexibility: Part-time employees are a game-changer when it comes to flexibility. You can schedule them during your busiest times or when you need extra hands, like for seasonal spikes or big orders. This way, you’re not stuck with too many full-timers when things are quieter.

• Cost-effective: Part-timers typically cost less than full-time workers. They don’t require the same benefits, like health insurance or paid vacation, so your overall labor costs stay lower. This can be a real budget-saver, especially when you’re trying to keep expenses under control.

• Reduced risk of overstaffing: With part-time employees, you can scale up or down depending on your workload. During slower periods, you won’t have to worry about having too many people on the payroll. You can avoid paying for hours you don’t need, helping to keep your business running lean.

• Access to a larger talent pool: Part-time roles can also open up your hiring options. You can bring in people who need non-traditional hours, like students, parents, or retirees. These workers might not be available for a full 40-hour week, but they can still be a huge help during the hours that matter most for your business.

Drawbacks of hiring full-time employees

Let’s take a look at the other side of the coin. What disadvantages should you keep in mind if you’re hiring full-time vs. part-time employees?

• Higher costs: Hiring full-time employees means you’re on the hook for full-time salaries, plus benefits like health insurance, vacation pay, and taxes. All those costs can really add up, especially if you're managing a large team or have a lot of expenses already.

• Less flexibility: Full-time workers tend to have set schedules, which can be a bit of a headache when your business needs change quickly. If you’re dealing with a slow season or sudden demand, it’s harder to adjust their hours without affecting their pay or work-life balance.

• Potential for burnout: Full-time employees can get worn out if they're pushing themselves too hard, especially in physically demanding roles. If you don’t keep an eye on workloads and make sure they're taking enough breaks, you might risk burnout, which can lead to lower productivity and higher turnover.

Drawbacks of hiring part-time employees

Similar to hiring full-time employees, it’s not all roses when hiring part-time workers. Beware of these issues you may encounter:

• Limited commitment: Since part-time workers are usually only around for a few hours a week, they might not feel as invested in the company as full-time employees. They might not always go the extra mile, or they could be looking for something more permanent, making it harder to build long-term loyalty.

• Training and turnover: Part-timers tend to have higher turnover rates than full-timers, which means you might spend more time and money training new people all the time. This can add up, especially when you have to constantly bring new employees up to speed.

• Less availability: Part-time workers may not always be available when you need them, especially if you have urgent tasks or last-minute changes. Since they work fewer hours, they might have other commitments or be harder to reach for overtime or unexpected shifts.

So, should you hire full-time employees vs. part-time employees?

There is no one right answer to the question of full-time employees vs. part-time employees. It all depends on your factory or warehouse’s needs, such as if you’re dealing with spiking demand, increasing labour costs, or high turnover.

Get in touch with Noble Human Resources Solutions and talk to us about your hiring gaps. We’ll help you determine whether you need employees who can commit full-time vs. part-time, and provide you with a large pool of candidates who can start working right away. Simply full out the Employer Contact Form and provide your details. We’ll be in touch right away!