My first job-sharing experience was offered to me in 1987, by a manager that "heard" through a friend that I had just had a baby and wanted to go back to work part-time.  This manager was coaxed by his wife to hire a "team" of part-time women to fill two of his full-time positions.  He called me during my maternity leave and asked if I wanted to share a job with another woman, and said that I would have pro-rated benefits.  WOW!  The job was a dream come true.  Eventually, myself and the other woman managed to find two other moms to fill the other position.  We had a terrific working "team" for about 4 years.  We covered for each other's vacations, and our boss did not have to work "short" or use "per-diem" employees to fill in.  We knew we could call one of our "teammates" when a child was sick and switch days off, or get coverage, without having the boss involved in staffing problems. 

However, things change, and we must adjust.  Our boss was promoted(of course, all the good ones are) and our "team" was challenged by the next  7 bosses.  Yes, 7 bosses in 12 years.  It was a very difficult time.  All 7 bosses had the traditional "full-time" equivalent employee as their preference.  Every one of them let us know that we were not the "traditional male full-time employee ideal."  We had too many "special  problems."  Well, we call them children, and I do not think they are a "problem."  I never understood how a manager cannot see beyond our "family issues," and really look at how good we all were at our job.  We all received excellent evaluations on our ability to do our job, we all worked very hard, and we worked well together. 

I was so fortunate to have worked with so many dedicated moms during those 12 years.  I am still amazed at how we were able to cover for each other's vacations and sick days.  I am even more amazed at how these 7 bosses could never really appreciate us like our first boss.  I believe our first boss was truly inspired by his wife, and her vision to help moms like her that really wanted to work part-time in their profession and balance work and family.

Next time, I will write about the next 10 years of "struggling" to find a part-time job, and the difficulty of finding a job-sharing partner.

Good Luck Job Sharing!

Cheryl

www.jobshareconnection.com

info@jobshareconnection.com