Definition

Part-time

What does it mean?

Part-time employment (deltid) is work with reduced weekly hours compared to full-time norms (usually 37 hours in Denmark). Part-time is common in retail, care, hospitality and among parents and students.

Part-time employees have the same proportional rights as full-time: holiday accrual, pension (if offered), sick pay and protection against discrimination. Employers cannot treat part-time workers less favourably without objective justification.

Unemployment benefit calculations use hours worked — part-time work can supplement benefits under specific rules. Check with your a-kasse if combining part-time work and benefits.

When negotiating part-time, clarify fixed vs. variable hours, possibility of increasing hours, pay per hour vs. pro-rata salary and career development opportunities.

Magnus Villumsen, Content Creator at Arbejd.com
Defined by Arbejd.com

Magnus Villumsen

Content Creator
Last updated
March 7, 2026