In fact, there was a huge shift to part-time employment in the fast food industry beginning in January.

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Others plan to shift to part-time workers, because there are no penalties if part-time employees aren't offered coverage.

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We need a societal shift in which men are just as likely to go part-time so they can pick the kids up from school.

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Labour welcomed the shift in the government's position but said the details - such as protection for part-time workers - still had to be hammered out in order to avert strike action.

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