Job sharing - advantages and challenges

A job-sharing arrangement is a full-time position that is shared between two people, with each taking responsibility for the success of the entire position. At the Jobsharing Two employees can share the responsibilities of a full-time position, usually with a prorated salary and paid time off. Creative and innovative schedules can be designed to meet the needs of the job sharer and the department. Job sharing agreements can be 50/50, 60/40, or a similar combination. Working hours may also overlap depending on your needs or desires.

In successful job sharing agreements, responsibility for a functional agreement usually lies with the people sharing the job (job partners), rather than with the manager. Both job partners should agree from the outset that if one of the job partners does not meet the company's requirements or decides to leave the position, the other will return to a full-time position, permanently or until a new job partner is found within a reasonable period of time becomes. If a new job partner cannot be found and the remaining job partner does not desire a full-time position, they agree to relinquish their position to be replaced by a full-time employee. This is considered a voluntary resignation and does not entitle you to receive downsizing and staff transfer benefits.

Advantages of job sharing

• Jobsharing -Partners can provide internal and external customers with more consistent service than two part-time employees.

• Job sharing partners can cover for each other during planned and unplanned absences.

• Two heads are better than one. The job sharing partners' customers, supervisors and employees, as well as the partners themselves, can benefit from the different perspectives, strengths and skills that each job sharing partner brings to the table.

• Employees in job-sharing arrangements have more time outside of work to attend to personal obligations; therefore, they can concentrate better on the tasks at hand during their scheduled working hours.

Challenges of job sharing

• For an employee interested in job sharing, it can be challenging to find a job share partner with whom they are personally and professionally compatible.

• It can be difficult for job sharing partners to maintain the constant communication required to update each other on scheduling (meetings, training, travel, etc.) and the status of the shared work.

• It may be difficult for a work unit to finance a job-sharing arrangement.

• This can reduce the chances of promotion.

Example of job sharing

Elizabeth began considering job sharing when her mother became ill. She realized that she no longer wanted to work full-time due to personal commitments, but still wanted to be able to maintain her professional skills and status in her profession. Together with her manager, Elizabeth decided that a job-sharing arrangement would help her find balance in her life. She now works Mondays, Tuesdays and until midday on Wednesdays, when her job-sharing partner takes over the rest of the week.