Job sharing: How does job sharing work?

Job sharing goes far beyond traditional part-time work—it's a strategic response to the needs of a modern working world that prioritizes flexibility, efficiency, and employee satisfaction. 

In this article, you'll learn how job sharing works, what benefits it offers, and why more and more companies are turning to this flexible work model to support their teams while increasing their competitiveness. 

What is job sharing?

Job sharing is an innovative working time modelin which two people share a full-time position. They work closely together and coordinate their tasks and working hours so that they jointly meet the requirements of the position. Sometimes the terms tandem job or job sharing are used in this context. 

However, job sharing is not just about dividing working hours. Job sharing is characterized by a profound collaboration in which both job sharers can contribute their strengths and compensate for their weaknesses. 

Instead of simply sitting through their hours, they work closely together to advance projects, solve problems, and develop innovative ideas. They exchange ideas regularly, share their progress and challenges, and support each other.

What are some examples of job sharing?

There are different types of workplace sharing that might be suitable for your company:

• Job Splitting: In job splitting, two or more team members share the tasks of a single position, often divided according to specific areas of responsibility. Each of the two job sharers takes on a defined share of the responsibilities.
• Job Pairing: Job pairing involves two employees working together to share a full-time position by serving on a team or as partners. They can either be present simultaneously or work alternately, depending on the requirements of the position and the needs of the team.
• Top Sharing: With top sharing, two experienced managers share a management position. Everyone takes on specific areas of responsibility or leads the team during specific periods, which enables effective and fair management.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of job sharing?

Job sharing offers numerous advantages for both your employees and your company, but also brings with it some challenges. Let's take a closer look at how this work model can impact us from different perspectives.

Advantages of job sharing

For your team members, job sharing means better work-life blending due to part-time work. Tandem jobs allow them to organize their working hours flexibly and better take care of family or personal obligations. This also gives your employees the opportunity to further their education or pursue other interests without neglecting their careers.

This is exactly what you can benefit from as an employer, because job sharing means increased productivity. Through shared responsibility and constant exchange, creative solutions and innovative ideas can be developed more quickly. In the event of absence due to illness or vacation, the other job sharer can continue the work seamlessly, ensuring continuity and stability within the team. In addition, job sharing promotes knowledge exchange and professional development, which in the long term leads to higher employee retention and lower fluctuation.

Job sharing gives you the opportunity to attract and retain qualified talent who couldn't or wouldn't work in traditional full-time positions—for example, parents who want to return to work after parental leave, or professionals who want to further their education or fulfill other commitments. 

Disadvantages of job sharing

On the other hand, job sharing also brings with it some challenges. It requires careful planning and coordination to ensure that work handovers run smoothly and continuity of work is maintained. 

Communication between job sharers must be good so that no information is lost and everyone involved is always up to date. Managing working hours and complying with legal regulations can also pose additional burdens for employers – but there's a tool that minimizes these challenges. More on that later.

What should be taken into account when job sharing?

Job sharing can be a fantastic solution for your company. To successfully implement this work model, there are a few points you should consider:

1. Clear communication and role allocation

Successful job sharing requires smooth communication between the job sharers. It is important that both partners make clear agreements and define their tasks and responsibilities precisely. This prevents misunderstandings and ensures that work can continue seamlessly.

2. Job Sharer Compatibility

The two employees who share a position should be a good fit for each other – both professionally and personally. They should have similar working methods and be able to work together effectively. A harmonious team is the key to success in job sharing.

3. Flexible working hours

Job sharing thrives on flexibility. Both employees should be willing to organize their working hours flexibly and cover for each other when necessary. 

4. Documentation and handover processes

Effective documentation is a must. The job sharers must ensure that all relevant information and work status are well documented so that the other party is always up to date. Clear handover processes are crucial to ensure continuity and quality.

5. Legal and contractual regulations

Section 13 of the German Part-Time and Fixed-Term Employment Act (TzBfG) contains specific provisions on job sharing. This arrangement ensures that both job sharers are legally protected and have clearly defined rights and obligations. By contractually defining the framework, you create security and clarity for both parties. 

6. Support and training

Offer support and training to your job sharers. This can take the form of workshops on team development, time management, and effective communication. A well-prepared team will be more successful in job sharing and will feel more comfortable in the new way of working.

Desk sharing as a supplement to job sharing

Desk Sharing and Job Sharing are two innovative working models that complement each other perfectly. They offer flexibility, efficiency and cost savings – both for your company and your employees. By using your office space efficiently and promoting a collaborative work culture, you're making your company fit for the future - but how do you manage the workplace sharing skillfully?

There are now tools that can help you do just that. The desk sharing software Flexopus makes it easier to manage shared workspaces and ensures that everything runs smoothly. With Flexopus, your employees can easily and quickly book available desks, meeting rooms, or even parking spaces, reducing the stress and chaos of the daily search for a free workspace. 

Flexopus also impresses with detailed analyses of your office's utilization, so you can see which workstations are frequently used and when there are unused capacities. Accurate analysis of this data will help you optimize your company's processes, avoid unnecessary costs, and ensure that in the future you only rent as much office space as your teams actually need. Flexopus is the key to successful desk sharing!

Summary

Job sharing is a flexible, collaborative working model that enables your employees to better balance their work and personal lives, while your company benefits from increased productivity and continuity. It is a win-win situation that shows how modern working time models can shape the future of the world of work.