Make The Most Of Part Time Workers

They’re too often treated as stop gaps. But permanent part-timers can become a critical component in growing your company cost effectively.

- Coeli Carr

Until last summer, the only employee of personal injury lawyer Christopher Earley was a permanent part-time paralegal who worked 25 hours a week. When Earley decided to recruit an attorney who could work 20 hours a week, one candidate stood out. But there was a snag. Because of her extensive experience, that attorney wanted a higher salary than Earley had initially offered. He eventually agreed to give her a percentage of the contingency fees—an idea suggested by the applicant.

“Finding people who are not in it just to expand their résumés can be challenging, so if you find a good candidate, you and the interviewee need to think outside the box,” he says. Sharing fees works well for both Earley and his new hire. Earley adds, “You can nuance a part-time position by offering, say, perks or an opportunity to work remotely to mutually benefit both parties.” Part-time can mean fully engaged, if you do it right.

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