Question from a reader:
How much paid leave am I entitled to under the law if I work part-time for only 9 months each year (3 days a week, 6 hours a day)? My length of service is 2 years.

What You Should Know About Paid Leave for Part-Time Workers

Hello. I am a male university student majoring in psychology, working part-time
at a judicial scrivener office while contemplating laws and psychology daily. Recently, I received a question from a reader asking, “How much paid leave am I entitled to under the law if I work part-time for only 9 months each year (3 days a week, 6 hours a day)?” In fact, many people often misunderstand paid leave, so today I will explain this topic in detail.

Basics of Paid Leave

First, let’s deepen our understanding of the basics of paid leave. Paid leave is defined by the Labor Standards Act and refers to the right of workers to take time off while still receiving payment for the work they have done. This system is essential for maintaining the physical and mental health of workers and improving work efficiency. Now, even part-time workers have the right to paid leave. Like full-time employees, if certain conditions are met, they can take paid leave. It is particularly important to know how much paid leave you can earn based on your length of service and working hours.

How to Calculate Paid Leave for Part-Time Workers

Now, your length of service is 2 years. First, let’s calculate the number of paid leave days based on your length of service. According to Article 39 of the Labor Standards Act, if the length of service exceeds 6 months, the following number of paid leave days is granted: – More than 6 months of service → 10 days – More than 1 year and 6 months of service → 11 days – More than 2 years and 6 months of service → 12 days Thus, for a part-time worker who has worked for 2 years, you would generally be entitled to 11 days of paid leave. However, since this calculation is based on full-time workers, a slightly different calculation is needed for someone working 3 days a week for 6 hours a day.

The Relationship Between Weekly Working Hours and Paid Leave

For part-time and temporary workers, the calculation of paid leave is based on actual working hours. The Labor Standards Act grants paid leave based on the “number of working days” and “working hours” of the employee, so it cannot be calculated in the same way as for full-time employees. In your case, since you work 3 days a week, paid leave will be calculated based on that number of working days. Specifically, the calculation would be as follows: – You have a basic entitlement of 11 days of paid leave for 2 years of service. – However, since you work 3 days a week for 6 hours a day, your actual working days amount to approximately 132 days per year (3 days × 9 months). Looking at it this way, the number of paid leave days will be slightly reduced. Specifically, it will be calculated by dividing the paid leave of a worker who works 5 days a week according to your working hours.

Actual Calculation and Number of Days Off

Now, let’s do the actual calculation. Dividing 11 days by the annual working days gives: 11 days ÷ 365 days × 132 days ≈ 4.0 days This means you would be entitled to approximately 4 days of paid leave per year. This is a theoretical calculation, but in practice, it may vary depending on your workplace’s regulations, so be sure to check the specific arrangements.

How to Take Paid Leave

Now that you have earned paid leave, how to actually take it is also an important point. When taking paid leave, it is usually the process to apply in advance to your supervisor or HR representative. It is also important to choose a timing that does not disrupt work. Especially for part-time workers, who often work on a shift basis, it is necessary to consider coordination with other staff. Furthermore, from a psychological perspective, it may be quite difficult to take time off during busy periods. However, taking paid leave is crucial for maintaining mental health. It is important to make sure to take proper breaks for yourself.

Conclusion

This time, I answered questions about paid leave for part-time workers. Even for part-time workers like you who work only 9 months a year, you have the legal right to take paid leave. However, since the number of days varies based on working hours and number of working days, it is essential to have a clear understanding of your situation. Moreover, paid leave is not just a right to take; it is also a very important system for maintaining mental health. Do not hesitate to take time off, and having your own time will positively impact your future work and studies. I hope to continue providing useful information from the perspectives of law and psychology. I encourage all readers to understand their rights and enjoy a fulfilling part-time work life. Feel free to leave any questions in the comments. Stay tuned for the next post!