How to Implement a Job Sharing Program

One of the many ways in which businesses are learning to maximize the efficiency of their work environment is through job sharing, which can be a total success or a total failure, depending on how it is approached. Job sharing benefits the business because overtime costs are all but eliminated and they have employees who are fresh and ready to work every day. It benefits the employees because they can cut their workday in half (or at least by one quarter) and have time for other obligations. Job sharing has been around for many years, but even large corporations are beginning to implement it with their staff.

How to Implement a Job Sharing Program: What Is Job Sharing?

Job sharing refers to the practice of splitting one full-time job between two employees. For example, instead of hiring one administrative assistant to work forty- or fifty-hour weeks, the employer would hire two administrative assistants - one two work the morning shift, for example, and one to work in the afternoons. Some job sharing programs also implement rotating days. For instance, one employee would work Monday, Wednesday and Friday while the other would take Tuesdays and Thursdays. The next week, the schedule would reverse.

How to Implement a Job Sharing Program: Who's In Charge?

This is one of the major problems with job sharing that many employers face. Who's in charge? Both employees hold the same job, but does one take the lead while the other follows? And who takes the blame when work isn't completed? Job sharing requires the maximum support from both the employer and the employees to work successfully. It also requires a dedication to communication between all parties so that problems can be addressed efficiently. Often, when the work day is split in half, the afternoon employee takes the brunt of the stress because he or she must complete all work that the other employee was unable to finish. It is important for the employer to assist the employees in time management.

How to Implement a Job Sharing Program: Office Space

Another problem that you will have to address is office space: that is, whose office is it? Most job sharing programs require that two employees share the same desk or office, which can lead to territorial issues. Most employees want to display photographs of family members and will want to organize the desk in a way that meets their needs. Often, the needs of two employees won't mesh. Job sharing might require a larger office area so that each employee can have their own desk and space.

How to Implement a Job Sharing Program: Coordination

Often, a job sharing program can lead to chaos if the employees don't coordinate their schedules and communicate about what has and has not been accomplished. One way to fix this problem is to create a window of time between "shifts" where the employees can discuss what has been done and what needs to be done. There is no margin for leniency on this matter because you might find that tasks have been completed more than once while others are not done at all. Open the lines of communication between employees so that each is able to perform their job efficiently.

How to Implement a Job Sharing Program: Other Employees

Another problem that you might face is one you will encounter with the other employees. If no one knows who to contact with a problem because they aren't aware of the job sharing schedule, chaos will ensue. Try sending all employees a schedule at the beginning of the week so that other employees know which person to contact if necessary.