If you’re working part time, you shouldn’t be treated any differently than a full-time employee doing the same job.

Automatic enrolment

Working part-time doesn’t mean that you should be treated any differently than someone doing the same job who works full-time. This means that you have the same rights to join your employer’s workplace pension scheme or to be automatically enrolled, if you’re eligible.

Defined benefit pension scheme

If you’re a member of a defined benefit pension scheme (including a ‘final salary’ or ‘career average’ pension), you’ll be paid a retirement income based on your salary and how long you’ve worked for your employer. You’ll usually make contributions to the pension based on your pensionable earnings.

Pensionable earnings just means how much of your salary your pension is based on. Some schemes will base them on a percentage of your salary, and might not include bonuses or overtime.

Defined contribution pension scheme

Are you a member of a defined contribution pension scheme? Then you’ll build up a pension pot which can provide you with a retirement income which is based on how much you and your employer contribute and how much this grows.

The contributions you make to the pension are based on your pensionable earnings. Pensionable earnings just means how much of your salary your pension is based on. Some schemes will base them on a percentage of your salary, and might not include bonuses or overtime.

Your pension rights as a part-time worker

As your earnings as a part-time worker are likely to be lower than someone who works full-time, what you get at retirement is also likely to be lower.

But, if you think you’re not receiving the same pension rights as a full-time employee who does the same job as you, you can make a claim for the rights you should have had.

These rights include:

• being offered the chance to join your employer’s workplace pension scheme
• being automatically enrolled into your employer’s workplace pension scheme, if you’re eligible.

But before you make a claim, it’s a good idea to first discuss it with your employer or a trade union representative.

You have the right to get a written statement of reasons for the treatment from your employer. You’ll need to make the request in writing, and the employer must write back within 21 days.

If you’re not satisfied that the reason given was objectively justified, you might be able to take a case to an employment tribunal.