Part-Time Virtual Assistant vs. Full-Time Employee: What’s Best for You?

Julie Roberton
Jul 18
3 min read

Updated: Aug 26

As your business grows, so do your to-do lists. Admin, emails, scheduling, social media, invoicing - you know the drill. Eventually, something’s got to give. But when you reach that point, many business owners ask the same question:

“Do I hire a full-time employee, or would a part-time Virtual Assistant do the job?”

At JR Admin Assist Ltd, we’ve supported dozens of business owners through this decision, and the answer really depends on your needs, budget, and working style. Let’s explore the pros and cons of each so you can make the best choice for your business.

The Basics: What’s the Difference?

A Full-Time Employee is:

Hired through PAYE and entitled to holiday pay, sick leave, pension contributions, etc.
Usually based on-site or hybrid
Requires training, equipment, and a consistent workload
Works fixed hours, regardless of task volume

A Part-Time Virtual Assistant (like us) is:

Self-employed or contracted through a VA company like JR Admin Assist Ltd
Paid only for the hours or services you actually use
Remote and flexible
Skilled in multiple areas - admin, diary management, inbox control, customer service, social media support, and more

Let's Talk Cost

We often hear clients say, “I thought hiring a VA would be expensive.” But when you break it down, a VA can be significantly more cost-effective than a full-time hire.

Cost: Full-time Employee vs. Part-time PA

You’re not paying for breaks, slow days, or office overhead. You’re only paying for productive time - actual work delivered.

Flexibility and Growth

This is where Virtual Assistant support really shines.

At JR Admin Assist Ltd, our clients love the flexibility of part-time VA support. You can start small (even 5–10 hours a month) and scale up when you’re ready. We adapt to your needs - no long-term contracts, no HR red tape.

Hiring an employee, on the other hand, is a bigger and longer-term commitment. You’ll need to ensure you can consistently keep them busy, manage their workload, and handle payroll, policies, and performance reviews.

Skill Set and Experience

VAs often bring a broad skill set to the table. At JR Admin Assist Ltd, we specialise in supporting small businesses with:

Admin & back-office support
Calendar & inbox management
Client communication & customer service
Document formatting & data entry
CRM & system updates
Social media scheduling & content prep

Need something specific? You don’t have to train us from scratch - we’re ready to slot in and start making your life easier from day one.

Speed to Hire

Hiring an employee can take weeks (or months) between job posts, interviews, contracts, and onboarding.

With JR Admin Assist Ltd, we can get started within days, especially if you already know which tasks you want to hand over. No long onboarding process - just quick, seamless support when you need it most.

So… What’s Right for Your Business?

Ask yourself:

Do I need someone in-house full-time?
Can I commit to payroll and HR obligations?
Or do I just need reliable, professional support to free up my time?

If you're not ready for a full-time hire - or want to dip your toe into outsourcing - a part-time Virtual Assistant could be the perfect fit.

How JR Admin Assist Can Help

We exist to help small business owners like you get back to what you do best by taking care of the tasks that slow you down. Whether you need admin support for a few hours a week or ongoing help with specific systems, we’re here to take the pressure off.