why so many jobs under 16 hours?

iammumtoone

I am currently job searching for part time work.

Ideally I would like to work 16+ hours as this enables me to claim working tax credit. However I am applying for jobs under this as, as long as it pays more than I would get on JSA I will still be better off hopefully I can combine two of these jobs.

There seem to be a lot more jobs just under 16 hours available than those over. Why is this? What advantage is it to the employer to employ their staff under 16 hours?

lincroft1710

More benefits are available if you work less than 16 hrs pw

iammumtoone

lincroft1710 wrote: »

More benefits are available if you work less than 16 hrs pw

Really? what benefits? Thanks

lincroft1710

https://www.gov.uk/working-tax-credit/eligibility

iammumtoone

lincroft1710 wrote: »

https://www.gov.uk/working-tax-credit/eligibility

Yes thats if you work 16 hours or over. The majority of jobs I see are under 16 hours (mostly 15) I wondered why this is, whats an extra hour to the employer? I am thinking there must be a reason why they advertise for below 16 hours?

t0rt0ise

iammumtoone wrote: »

Yes thats if you work 16 hours or over. The majority of jobs I see are under 16 hours (mostly 15) I wondered why this is, whats an extra hour to the employer? I am thinking there must be a reason why they advertise for below 16 hours?

The reason my job is 15 hours is simply because most working days are 7.5 hours plus half hour unpaid for lunch which equals 15 paid hours for two days. There may be equally simple reasons for other combinations.

iammumtoone

t0rt0ise wrote: »

The reason my job is 15 hours is simply because most working days are 7.5 hours plus half hour unpaid for lunch which equals 15 paid hours for two days. There may be equally simple reasons for other combinations.

Valid point but I am also seeing 15 hours split over 4 or 5 days.

iammumtoone

If there is no reason to an employer why 15 hours compared to 16, thats good as I will be asking if I get an interview if they can increase to the extra hour.

TBagpuss

I don't think there is a single, universal reason why jobs are being advertised at that level.
However, I can think of a few reasons why they may be

- The job is to fit round an existing part-time worker's hours, for instance someone who works around school hours.

- There are a lot of people looking for 16+ hours, so jobs advertising for 16+ hours are easier to fill, and aren't advertised for as long, or are ore likely to be filled through word of mouth, so they don't need to be advertised

- 14-15 hours is the equivalent of 2 days work - even if it is spread over more than 2 days. They may well have a budget which reflects that.

Obviously there is nothing to stop you asking whether there is any flexibility, or options to increase your hours, if you are interviewed, but if the employer is advertising for 15 hours, it's probably because they only have funds / needs for 15 hours. They may not want, or need to increase that.

getmore4less

Targeting those not on tax credits.

Could be indirect discrimination to filter out certain groups.

iammumtoone

getmore4less wrote: »

Targeting those not on tax credits.

Could be indirect discrimination to filter out certain groups.

Actually I think you could be right that is a very good point.

Only hits single parents though as these under 16 hours jobs would be perfect for a couple, one each of these and they just meet the min requirement (24 hours for a couple) meaning they are excately the people companys are trying to avoid.

I am not looking to work 16 hours precisely I want part time work (16-25ish hours). All the jobs seem to be either full time or under 16 hours.