Traditional Standard for Full-Time Employment. The standard for full-time employment was typically 40 hours a week in the past. However, many employers now consider employees as full-time when they work fewer hours i.e. over 30 hours, 35 hours, or 37.5 hours. Because there are no laws regulating full-time employment for compensation and benefits purposes, the organization determines how many hours per week are considered full-time. Full-time employees are often more likely to be provided with benefits, including a pension, health insurance, paid vacation, and sick time, that are not offered to part-time employees. 1  However, there are no requirements for employers to provide benefits to employees other than those mandated by law.