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

Welcome!

Jobshare Connection is a free National Jobsharing Network.  We connect people, that are interested in job sharing, to a partner.   Some people that join the network do have jobs in which they would like to share, others do not.  Some people may know of a job that they would like to share.  Obviously, the people that join the network have worked in their occupation at some time in their life or are studying to work in their field.  Other people join the network to find a partner, and then seek a job together, using our job share proposal.  

We know that finding an employer/company that supports job sharing can be difficult.  We have provided information about Companies that support job sharing in many states, on our website.  However, we know there are many local businesses that would welcome an organized and motivated team of individuals that want to fill a "full-time position." 

From our jobsharing experience(over 20 years job sharing), job sharing is a dynamic process.   Job sharing partnerships can change.  Some job sharing arrangements can last years.  

We have found that the local networking involved in trying to find a partner can be difficult.  This is why we believe that our network can allow networking on a local level with many more people that one person can accomplish on their own. 

If you would like additional explanations on “how to” job share or to read articles about job sharing and how is works, the benefits and tribulations, check out the "Links" page on www.jobshareconnection.com. 

Sincerely,

Member Services Team

www.jobshareconnection.com

info@jobshareconnection.com