The Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000 introduced new rights for part-time workers. The regulations ensure that part-time workers are not treated less favourably in their contractual terms and conditions than comparable full-timers.

The measures reinforce the Government's policy of putting in place decent minimum standards whilst promoting a flexible and competitive workforce.

Two amendments to the Regulations came into force on 1 October 2002. These cover Comparators (Regulation 2) and Access to Occupational Pension Scheme (Regulation 8(8)).

The Part-time workers regulations ensure that Britain's part-timers are not treated less favourably than comparable full-timers in their terms and conditions, unless it is objectively justified. This means part-timers are entitled, for example, to:

• the same hourly rate of pay,
• the same access to company pension schemes,
• the same entitlements to annual leave and maternity/parental leave on a pro rata basis,
• the same entitlement to contractual sick pay, and
• no less favourable treatment in access to training.

Enquiries on the Part-time Workers Regulations should be directed to Acas.