Topic 9 - Work/Life Balance Flashcards
What is job sharing?
Job sharing is when 2 part time employees jointly share the work load and responsibilities of one position. It is distinctly different from part time or flexible working hours as the latter are one 1 employee per position, whereas job sharing is 2 employees sharing one position.
Who takes up job sharing?
Job sharing is likely to be taken up by female mothers who are seeking to work part time in order to flexible for family commitments. Also common is someone wishing to semi-retire. Teachers commonly use i.e. 2 teachers share the responsibility for teaching one classroom.
What are the advantages for employees?
Reduced working hours - can be flexible for family commitments
Continued career progression instead of placing career on hold for a break i.e. maternity
Working days can be negotiated to suit childcare arrangements.
Combine work and family responsibilities whilst continuing to work in a quality part time position. Employees often value their position.
Greater skill development - job share partners bounce ideas off each other and different strategies and ideas can be introduced to the other.
What are the advantages for organisations?
Improved staff retention as employees value positions more. Highly skilled employees are retained.
Increased productivity as job share employees bounce ideas off each other. Increased creativity.
Reduced absenteeism.
Staff performance increases - due to multiple perspective s of employees.
What are the disadvantages for employees?
Increased communication can result in greater hours worked and unpaid overtime.
Difficulties if job-share partners have different philosophies, skill levels or relationship is relatively unequal
If employed on a temporary contract, there is a lack of job security. This can make finance difficulty, especially when wishing to buy a house.
What are the disadvantages for organisations?
Increased costs for training and administration as 2 employees instead of 1
Managers have to resolve difficulties between personal incompatibility
Orgs need to develop job share policies
Scheduling can be difficult
How beneficial is job sharing
Job sharing can be highly beneficial for organisations and employees in the long-run. Skilled employees are retained and they can continue to improve their career and skills as they bounce ideas off each other. The organisation has increased creativity and productivity.
