Job share is a flexible work arrangement where one job is done by more than one person. It can be an option if an employee wants to work part-time but the job needs to be worked on a full-time basis. It can particularly suit employees transitioning back to work from caring duties (for example parental leave) or those older employees transitioning to retire (with the benefit that the new employee will be able to learn from someone experienced in the role).
Job-share can help businesses recruit and retain employees, particularly employees with caring responsibilities.
There are endless ways that you could divvy up the full-time work – either broken down hourly (e.g. one employee works 20 hours per week and the other 18) or day by day (e.g. one employee works Monday and Tuesday and another employee does the same job, also working part-time, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday), alternative days or weeks, on the same days or weeks, or other arrangements that suit the employees and employer.
Who could benefit from a job-share arrangement?
You don’t have to fit into a particular box to benefit from a job-share arrangement. You might simply want to have more time ‘living’ rather than working! Working less might actually help you enjoy your work more – In a recent report on their World of Work Survey, Ranstad Australia/New Zealand found that when it comes to job satisfaction, employees report recognition and flexicurity (job security with inbuilt flexibility), is the key to loving their work.
There are definitely certain situations where job-share is the right way to go:
Going on parental leave – if you’re going on parental leave, why not have a say in who fills your role while you’re gone? Approach your HR team or employer and recommend that you (or they) post the role on TooCan. The likelihood is that you might come back on a part-time basis so wouldn’t it be great if you already knew who you could share your job with when you’re back? Plus think of the confidence in knowing that you had a say in the person that filled your role.
Returning from parental leave – you might choose to return to work on a part-time basis. Why not approach your HR team or employer with your proposed job-share candidate? Or recommend that they share the role on TooCan. Not only will you know the person can do the job and get along with them, you’ll also be helping out your HR team or employer.
Caring for others – if you’ve found yourself caring for others, including elderly parents, why not job-share so you can keep your job but reduce your hours. Post the role on TooCan and if you’ve found someone suitable, approach your HR Team or employer with your proposed arrangement.
Transitioning to retirement – you might be wanting to slow down at work, but not completely leave your permanent employment. In this scenario, job-share is a great way to do both. Post the role on TooCan and if you’ve found someone suitable, approach your HR Team or employer with your proposed arrangement.
Career break – need a career break to pursue hobbies or dreams but don’t want to lose the security of your job? Post your role on TooCan, find someone suitable and approach your employer or HR team with the proposed arrangement.
How do I find a job on TooCan?
If you’re looking for a job: create an account by uploading your profile. Once your profile has been approved and is listed on TooCan you can reach out to available posters of job-share opportunities or sit back and wait for job-sharers to contact you (we suggest you do a bit of both!). You will be notified by email when someone contacts you and you will also be notified of suitable jobs that match your profile.
