Obamacare implicated in sharp shift from full-time to part-time work

As Obamacare nears full implementation, critics are closely watching the mix of part-time and full-time employment for signs that the health care overhaul will result in workers’ hours being cut.

Conservatives blame the Affordable Care Act for generating part-time jobs instead of full-time ones because of a provision that penalizes employers that do not offer health insurance to full-time workers, defined as those working at least 30 hours a week. In theory, the employer mandate could prompt businesses to shift to part-time labor.