2. Benefits of Sharing – for Students and the School Community, and for the

A review of the literature, as well as the wealth of experience with Job Sharing, indicate that we would do well to consider the range of benefits with Job Sharing.

BENEFITS - for the school community BENEFITS - for teachers who are job sharing

• Attracts, motivates and retains staff and skills • Job sharing may be of particular benefit to - that are important to schools. o staff with carer responsibilities who may only • Reduces staff and consequently the be able to work part-time upheaval that goes with and o staff approaching who would of new staff. People stay in a job prefer a phased retirement longer if the hours suit their home lives. o staff who wish to undertake studies while Schools can retain skilled and experienced continuing in staff. o staff with disabilities or illness who may only • Enables employers to preserve in their be able to work part-time. full-time form while tapping on the expertise of • The partner who enters the job share arrangement two people and boosting employment and continues to retain their entitlement to full- opportunities. time employment may be in a better position to • Reduces sick days taken and absenteeism. preserve their skills and status. • Improves staff morale. • Flexibility in negotiating time at work. People • Enhances the professional life of staff by stay in a job longer if the hours suit their home assisting them to better balance work and lives. family responsibilities. • A better balance between work and other • Job sharers bring increased enthusiasm and activities and responsibilities - energy to the job and this helps optimise o Not have to choose between career and learning and teaching. Job sharers working the family; and enjoy being a stay at home parent hours that best fit in with their other o Eases return to work after maternity leave commitments can be fresh, energetic and o Enables job sharers with carer responsibilities creative during the hours they are working and to plan and arrange alternate care for specific this can lead to improved output. days. • • Two people bring two sets of skills, talents and Opportunities for teachers with specific subject experience to the job. This - interests/specialties or industry experience. o increases the staff resource base • Increased energy in the job due to working the o supports the pooling of ideas hours that best fit in with their other commitments o offers the opportunity for job sharers to - being fresh, energetic and creative during the learn from one another, maintain and hours they are working - can lead to improved develop skills output. o maximises individual strengths and can • Mutual mentoring and minimise individual weaknesses opportunity with their partner. • Two teachers monitoring to ensure children • , rewarding and fulfilling don’t slip through the cracks • A feeling of still being part of the school • Senior students may have the advantage of two community (compared to casual relief work) and perspectives and double marking ongoing friendships. • Doubles involvement in extra curricular • Regular income and set work days. activities (discos, sporting teams, • Sharing of the load on a regular basis. parent/ interviews) • Flexibility - may allow job-sharers to "cover" for • Flexibility may allow job-sharers to "cover" for each other when they are unable to work for each other when they are unable to work for family or other reasons. family or other reasons (eg, if covering one • The opportunity for professional dialogue, staying another’s , , etc) abreast of changes, maintaining and further and so the class has fewer teachers. This helps developing skills, accessing PD and career with planning and providing continuity. development.

Teachers Sharing Teaching: A School Resource 11/2005 3