Marvin OnumonuEmployment Hero has reported a continued split in the jobs market, with growth in full-time roles and a drop in part-time jobs among small businesses in March.
Data showed that full-time employment rose 1.1% month-on-month, while part-time roles fell for the third month running, down 0.5%.
The decline in part-time jobs hit older workers hardest.
Boomer employment dropped by 6.2%, compared to 2.7% for Gen X and 1.3% for Gen Y, while Gen Z saw a 5% rise.
Among older workers, part-time employment for women fell by 4.3% year-on-year and rose 0.4% for men.
Over the past year, full-time roles increased by 14.6% and part-time jobs grew 3.3%.
Despite ongoing hiring, total employment growth remains below pre-April 2025 levels.
Wage growth held steady year-on-year at 8.8%.
However, average wages dropped 1.1% in March.
The North saw the largest wage fall, down 2.6%.
Kevin Fitzgerald, UK managing director at Employment Hero, said: “The headline is that employment growth is recovering, but the reality for small businesses is more complex.
“Beneath the surface, the labour market is quietly restructuring, with part-time and full-time roles moving in different directions. This is no coincidence.
“With the Employment Rights Act now in force, employers are making calculated choices about workforce composition and prioritising stability.”
Fitzgerald added: “The resilience of SMEs is clear, but it’s coming at a cost.
“Rather than scaling hiring, many are becoming more selective – a shift that could reshape who gets access to work in the months ahead.”
