Have you ever thought about job sharing at your business? Maybe you have, but just weren’t quite sure how it works, or if it will work for your business. Job sharing is great for small businesses for many reasons.
But hold on….
there are also some things to think about before creating these positions.
What Is Job Sharing?
Job sharing can look different for different businesses, but it is essentially hiring two or more people for one position. This is great for individuals who are looking for a flexible, part-time position, and it is good for you as the business owner because you don’t have to pay benefits for part-time employees. You can save money and offer a flexible work environment at the same time.
Or maybe you have a stellar employee who’s thinking about leaving because they want to be home for their child when they get off of a bus. It’s hard to find work around a school schedule.
And maybe you have a rock star employee who wants to work a later shift but you need all day coverage.
Guess what?
You don’t have to watch them walk out the door.
You can accommodate them both.
It’s a win-win, but job sharing isn’t without its challenges. Being prepared for those challenges will help you make the transition more successful.
These job sharing challenges (and misconceptions) may include:
Part-Timers Don’t Care About the Work
You may worry that employees might not care about the business as much if they are only working part-time, but there are many ways to engage your employees and make job sharing work. Talk about the benefits they will be getting from the beginning: a flexible schedule, a chance to learn new skills, and they will still be invited to all team building events and staff meetings.
When you advertise part-time positions, the people applying are most likely looking for that flexibility, from retired individuals to parents who want a new, flexible work environment. So don’t worry too much that they won’t be passionate about the business; the fact that they can make their own schedule and have a good work-life balance will actually make them more interested because they won’t feel overworked.
The Job Sharers Won’t Gel
If they’re current employees you’re transitioning into a shared role, you already have some idea how they work together. If not, arrange for them to work side by side on a project or on a shift.
However, if you’re hiring them for the first time, you might look for complementary personalities. It’s okay for the people sharing the position to have different strengths. One might even be better suited for the position.
But…
It’s important with job sharing not to choose a favorite. Perhaps the different strengths can actually be helpful. One person can do more of one role and the other person can take on different responsibilities. For instance, if one is more outgoing and extroverted, they can attend trade shows. If the other one is more organized and able to do the ordering and administrative duties for the shows, then you really have a great partnership!
It Will Start with Job Sharing and Go Down Hill…Suddenly Your Business Is Summer Camp
One (or both) job sharers might take the flexibility too far. But that is where up-front expectations are critical to success. If one person isn’t carrying their weight, it can create conflict among the job-sharers. You must deal with that quickly. Reiterating expectations
Make sure they have a communication plan, and if you are allowing them to create their own schedule, make sure they both approve of it. Giving them autonomy also means making sure they take ownership. Each must pull their own weight. In the beginning, you could also have them put together an action plan in case one person does not fulfill their duties. That way they will have buy-in and know what the consequences will be.
Situations Will Change
One person may ask to be full-time after a while. But worrying about that happening in the future isn’t worth the stress. While you may not be in a position to grant their request now, you might be at the time they ask that. So don’t waste time worrying about that before it becomes an issue. If both parties are clear how many hours a week they will receive, and you’ve let them know there’s is (or isn’t) the possibility of additional time, don’t worry about what tomorrow will bring.
Overall, job sharing can be a really great solution for your business and personnel. But it all comes down to making sure you set clear expectations.
Consider job sharing as a good way to offer a flexible work environment while saving yourself and your business money!
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