JSR: Once an employer understands the many benefits of job sharing, they are usually quite receptive. While it is not easy to implement new strategies in the workplace, the benefits speak for themselves:
- Acts as a benefit that can be worth money and can be used as an attraction and retention mechanism.
- Enables a company to reach an untapped pool of highly motivated professionals who are using the services of Job Sharing Resources.
- Enables the new employee to get "up to speed" quicker.
- Acts as an incentive for many professionals since time has become as important as money.
- Helps to maintain "diversity" in the workplace.
- Rewards talent and increases job satisfaction.
- Increases morale and productivity. When an employee has created a more balanced life through job sharing, their anxiety and stress levels are greatly reduced.
According to ground-breaking research by Xerox and the Ford Foundation, employers that do not consider how family and work responsibilities affect each other are hindering their ability to operate more efficiently and productively. The study, Relinking Life and Work shows what work-family proponents have believed for some time: If organizations took time to question the way work is done, taking into account employees' personal needs, solutions that substantially improve both work and life would evolve.
DRM: If two employees are interested in initiating a job share relationship, how can they go about doing so? Do you have any hints for putting together the proposal?
JSR: A written job sharing proposal might include the following:
- Definition of job sharing
- Overview of the benefits of job sharing
- Reasons the employer should consider restructuring the job
- Proposed work plan and schedule
DRM: Can you think of any cases where a job share wouldn't work?
JSR: The most important aspect of a job sharing arrangement is the professionals who are part of the team. Recruitment is more complex because not only do you have to find a person with the right skills and experience, you also have to find someone who doesn't mind sharing, who doesn't get proprietary about her work, who communicates well, and who is a good team member. Therefore, if you don't have the right people in place, the arrangement won't work.
Gerri Vopelak is a partner at Job Sharing Resources. She has job shared for over three years at a major publishing company. She is married with two children.
Kathy Tenenbaum is also a partner at Job Sharing Resources. She was a vice president at a major investment banking firm for fifteen years, where she worked in both the Human Resources and Controllers Divisions. She is married with three children.
More
Part 1
