If you’re exhausted at your job, it’s easy to look at friends who work part time and think they’ve got it made. Going part time would allow you enough time for your family and yourself – or so you’d think.

In truth, while part-time jobs can be useful for those who need an income to supplement their primary daily pursuits such as study, they also come with downsides.

Here are the top three reasons to be mindful of if you’re considering part-time work.

1. Earn less per hour

Employers usually give part-time workers proportionately smaller pay and benefits packages. They figure the flexibility of filling a part-time position outweighs the hit you take as an employee.

In fact, most employers don’t offer health, medical or other benefits to part-time workers.

Moreover, you often step off the path to promotions when you reduce your hours and commitment, which in turn reduces your earning power.

2. Work more than expected

It’s difficult enough to squeeze a meaningful career into 40 hours a week – much less into 16, 24 or 32 hours. Your colleagues might forget you’re not at work on a given day and call you for help; or you might take home a project, aiming to put in a single hour, but end up working all night.

Before taking on a part-time position, be honest with yourself and your supervisor about how many hours you would truly need to do the job right. You’ll also need to be proficient at setting boundaries.

3. Missed career opportunities

Perhaps the most obvious downside is losing out on high-profile projects, assignments or trips. Sometimes superiors take you out of the loop, although you could combat this by actively seeking out these opportunities and making it clear you’ll do a first-rate job.

Sometimes, however, the most exciting professional challenges simply aren’t compatible with the schedule and lifestyle you’ve chosen.

Ultimately, when deciding whether to work full- or part-time, you must weigh the pros and cons, and don’t get too enthusiastic without knowing what you’re getting yourself into.

This article first appeared in jobstore.com, an online job site that specialises in providing jobseekers with the latest job opportunities by matching talented individuals with reputable companies in Malaysia. Find your dream job with over 40,000 job vacancies in Malaysia.