Full time or part time? Today, the options are more diverse than ever. With new models such as job sharing, firms can integrate temporary or permanent constructs for planning working hours that benefit both employers and employees.

In job sharing, the content of a full-time position is divided physically between two people. Usually this involves a very demanding position with a comprehensive competence portfolio. In contrast to the classic part-time position, the tasks are performed jointly in most cases.

From pairing to splitting.

However, job sharing can take various forms. Job pairing means that two people are simultaneously responsible for all the tasks of a full-time position. Then there’s job splitting. Here the position is exactly divided. Each partner has precisely assigned areas of responsibility. And top sharing refers to managerial-level tasks that are performed in a team. The classic division of a 100-percent position is 50/50 for each of the two employees. In practice, however, there are also other ways of splitting the work, such as 40/60. The exact division must be individually adapted to each situation. Job sharing is often only used temporarily to complete an important project or to prepare the successor for taking on a position. The important thing here is to set down the exact conditions of the job-sharing model in the employment contract.

There are wide-ranging advantages for the employer – double expertise, greater efficiency, and much more. Employees benefit from flexible time allocation and experience-sharing with their job partner. The model is also excellent for reintegrating parents after their leave. Of course, job sharing not only has advantages, but also involves increased organisational investment. Communication between the partners has to work, so when choosing the team it is important that there is harmony and sympathy in the tandem.

Spatial requirements for job sharers.

Besides their tasks, many job sharers share their workplaces as well, or do their work in the same office. Job splitters can use a shared desk by allotting their areas of activity. The requirement here is that both partners have agreed on attendance times. Top sharers or job pairers need zones in the office for communication and collaboration since they deal collectively with their work and the decision-making this involves. Particularly helpful features in making job sharing as uncomplicated and as efficient as possible include intelligently deployed central zones, collaborative areas in team offices, temporary silent rooms as a retreat for undisturbed work, and dedicated creative spaces.