Disrimination between full-time and part-time workers : 'a reality or a myth?'

Abstract

Work is an intrinsic part of our life since we spend at least one quarter of our lifetime at work. Admittedly, not everybody can give the same input in developing his/her career. In this regard, part-time work has proved to be a good substitute for full-time work in those cases when one has other tasks at hand but still does not want to give up a working life. In sum it can be described as 'the beginning and end of our working life'. This atypical work hasn't been immune from discriminatory treatment. Matters start getting complicated when considering that its disguised form is becoming prevalent. In addition to this, the existing working theory of like with like calls for a revision to remedy the existing deficiencies; primarily there is no remedy where no comparator is around. This is what this thesis provides, albeit not without highlighting that discrimination against part-timers, be it direct or indirect, is still with us. All this triggered me to go in depth to the roots of this job status. It proved to be a challenging experience from which I learned a lot. Throughout this work I have tried to bring to the reader the law in its simplest form so as to be easily understood and workable. May all who consult this thesis benefit from it. Only then will the aim of this thesis be fulfilled to the full and render the work involved worthwhile.