Effects of part-time work schedules on wages and job satisfaction in South Korea

Employment expansion during the 1990s in South Korea brought an increase in number of part-time workers. The proportions of involuntary part-time and temporary part-time jobs are extremely high. Part-time jobs typically offer a substandard rate of pay and fewer employee benefits, and undermine job security. As the number of part-time workers continues to increase, it is important to understand the nature and consequences of part-time employment.; The two goals of this study are (1) to describe variations within part-time employment as well as broad differences between part-time and full-time workers; and (2) to explain who is marginalized and who is more vulnerable in terms of job security and wages. The study sample is the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study of 1998. Multiple regression analysis and reduced form estimations are used to explain wage differentials, and ordered probit analysis to explain differences in job satisfaction.; Being female has a negative influence on wages for both part-time and full-time workers. The penalty is higher for part-time workers. After controlling for demographic variables and human capital variables, there are still large differences in hourly wages and job satisfaction between part-time and full-time workers. Being a temporary worker has a consistent negative impact on wages and job satisfaction, and the effect is larger for part-time workers. Moreover, part-time workers who work in predominantly female occupations earn less than comparable workers in other occupations. Lack of work security as indicated by temporary status, shift work, and involuntary part-time shows even more significant negative effects on job satisfaction.; The findings indicate the importance of knowing as much about within-group differences among part-time workers as differences between part-time and full-time workers. Specific regulations should be tailored to these different kinds of employment in order to reconcile as much as possible the protection of workers with the need for flexibility in the labor market.