Kylie Morrison, a mother from Brisbane, sought a job-share arrangement after returning from maternity leave, given the rarity of such roles for childcare directors. With 25 years of experience, she proposed this innovative idea to her manager at Goodstart, an organisation open to challenging conventional norms. Two and a half years into the job-share at a childcare centre in Bray Park, Queensland, Morrison has found that while initial communication might have been complex, cultivating high communication standards has enhanced operational efficiency.
In a similar vein, Melbourne women Bronwen Bock and Lucy Bradlow are campaigning to become Australia’s first job-sharing Members of Parliament, showcasing an emerging trend towards incorporating job-sharing in various professions. Business expert Dr Brenda Jamnik notes that post-COVID, job-sharing has gained traction beyond just a maternity leave option. With a growing skills shortage and a focus on work-life balance, employers are learning to become flexible and responsive to diverse working arrangements.
In remote Western Australia, Poppy Lever, director of the Warlayirti Art Centre, is also adopting job-sharing, aiming to attract suitable candidates to support local Indigenous artists. This role creation approach allows for a more studied allocation of skills between job-sharing partners, promoting an environment where flexibility thrives. Lever emphasises the importance of a work-life balance, expressing her distaste for traditional office jobs.
To implement a job-sharing role successfully, Dr Jamnik advises employees to approach their employers with clear solutions and an understanding of their and their partner’s respective skills. Offering concrete ideas about how the arrangement will function can facilitate acceptance. The key is that both individuals in the role can fully utilise their strengths, leading to heightened productivity.
Morrison suggests that having overlapping days in the office is beneficial for seamless communication and shared responsibilities. She has found that job-sharing allows her to embrace both professional and personal commitments, such as attending her children’s school events and taking mental health days. The supportive nature of their work arrangement allows for flexibility with time off and duties, creating a productive environment for both co-directors.
Overall, the trend towards job-sharing reflects a broader movement towards reimagining work dynamics in Australia, encouraging flexibility and collaboration. The benefits of job-sharing extend beyond a simple division of responsibilities; they support a healthier work-life balance and foster a more inclusive and adaptable workplace culture.