How many hours must a person work per week to be considered a full-time employee?

To be considered a full-time employee, the typical threshold is often around 35 to 40 hours per week, with many employers adopting the standard of 40 hours. However, in various contexts, particularly in specific industries or companies, working 35 hours a week can also qualify as full-time. This allows organizations some flexibility in defining full-time status based on their operational needs and workforce strategies.

Employers might choose to label a 35-hour workweek as full-time to accommodate work-life balance initiatives or to align with local labor regulations that designate a lower threshold. Thus, in contexts where 35 hours is considered full-time, it meets the standard definition aligned with both employer policies and employee expectations.