Part-time workers are being penalised and their skills are not being exploited, according to new research produced by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC).

The EOC found that more than half of the UK’s part-time workers are stuck in positions that they feel do not make the most of their qualifications, skills and previous management experience.

The pay gap between men and women is also more marked when it comes to part-time work. Women working part-time earn on average 40% less per hour than men working full-time. More than three-quarters (78%) of part-time workers in the UK are female.

Richard Grace, joint managing director of office support recruiter Gordon Yates, believes companies ignoring part-time workers’ talents are asking for trouble: “There are clear legislative reasons as to why long-term part-time workers should be treated with parity,” he said.

“It’s way beyond mothers with children – people are choosing part-time work for lifestyle reasons.”