Are You Entitled to Insurance, Vacation, or Leave? Check Your Work Hours and Benefits

• Knowing your labor rights can help you claim paid vacation, health insurance, or paid time off.
• Many people work more than 30 hours without knowing if they’re considered full-time employees.
• Your work contract and number of hours are key to understanding whether you qualify for job benefits.

Many Hispanic workers in the United States don’t know whether they actually have access to insurance, days off, or retirement plans.

What your employment contract states can make the difference between receiving or missing out on certain job benefits.

If you don’t understand whether you are a part-time or full-time employee, you could be missing out on important benefits.

Learning about your rights can help protect your health, your finances, and your family’s well-being.

Check if You’re a Full-Time or Part-Time Employee

Federal labor law does not have a single, universal definition of full-time or part-time employment.

Generally, each employer sets their own criteria for classifying employees. However, some states have their own local regulations.

According to information published by the IRS, if you work an average of at least 30 hours per week during a calendar month, you may qualify for job benefits.

Ask for the employee handbook or speak with Human Resources to find out how you’re classified.

Labor Rights: Are You Entitled to Health Insurance and Vacation Time?

According to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), you may be entitled to health insurance if you work at least 30 hours per week.

You can also gain access to retirement plans if you work more than 1,000 hours in a year, as established under ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act).

Paid vacation time depends on your status and what your contract or the company’s policy outlines.

Knowing these job benefits is key to protecting your health and financial future.

How to Accurately Track Your Work Hours

You should keep a record of how many hours you work each week, especially if you have irregular schedules.

Some employees—such as those who are “on call” or work in the airline industry—may have schedules that are hard to calculate.

The IRS indicates that your employer must use a fair and reasonable method to determine your worked hours.

If you’re unsure, check the official IRS website or consult your company’s Human Resources department about how your time is calculated.

How to Protect Your Labor Rights If You’re Latino

Keep a record of your work hours and payments to prove how many hours you work each month.

Ask your employer whether you’re eligible for insurance, paid time off, or a retirement savings plan.

If your company has more than 50 employees, check whether you meet the requirements to get health coverage.

Speak with a labor advisor or community assistance organization if you feel your labor rights are not being respected.