How to Motivate Part Time Employees
It's hard to motivate part-time employees. They often do low-level work, have little chance for advancement and can be treated as outsiders by full-time employees. So how do managers overcome these problems and turn their part-time staff into a potent force? Here are some proven methods.
Orient them properly. Take time to describe job duties and go over the basic rules, e.g., are personal phone calls allowed? To avoid confusion and frustration, clearly identify who is allowed to give the part-time staff assignments.
Assign a mentor. Even after proper orientation, part-time staff will have questions. Assign a full-time employee to be their mentor. The part-time person will feel more like a part of the team, and the mentor will feel good about the added responsibility. Make sure to pick someone who is patient and has time to answer questions.
Mix up the workload. Don't overload part-time staff with only mundane tasks. It's a common temptation to assign all low-level work to them. Don't! It's demoralizing and will discourage them from doing their best. It is also important to find out what specialized skills the part time person has to offer and then take advantage of that knowledge.
Offer flexible hours. Many part-time people have special situations that require them to work only part time. Use that to add to your advantage. By allowing flexible hours, you'll retain your part-time staff longer, eliminating the need for costly training.
Offer financial incentives. Most companies don't offer part-time staff bonuses. That's a mistake. Set up a bonus plan based on company revenues. Give them a reason to get excited about their jobs.