Legal Question in Employment Law in Washington

Minimum number of hours for a full time employee?

Is there a minimum number of hours that a full time employee should be scheduled for? I currently reside in the state of Washington and have several co-workers that are considered full time employees but are clearing around 32 hours a week. They are upset but cannot find anything that indicates whether or not there is a legal guideline to bring to our employers attention. We are hourly wage earners (Non-exempt I believe). They want to be scheduled for 40 hours a week.


Asked on 10/29/07, 6:34 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Merry Kogut Key Peninsula Law

Re: Minimum number of hours for a full time employee?

I agree with Ms. Beecher's answer.

I'd add that you need to consider whether the employer can afford to hire all of you at 40 hours a week. If the employer did so, he or she may have to let a couple of people go.

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Answered on 10/29/07, 8:03 pm
Susan Beecher Susan L. Beecher, Atty at Law

Re: Minimum number of hours for a full time employee?

There is no legal requirement that your employer provide you with a certain number of hours of work.

There are requirements that your employer cannot work you more than 40 hours a week without paying overtime. Also, if your hours drop by 25% from what you had previously been assigned (for example, the employer had regularly assigned you 40 hours per week but cut it to 30), you may leave to seek other work and collect unemployment.

Under the facts as you describe them, however, there is no legal basis to force your employer to assign more hours.

Sorry I can't give you better news.

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Answered on 10/29/07, 6:44 pm


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