Want to go back to work PT but feeling pushed into "jobshare" with lazy colleague

[MadreInglese]

I've applied to return to work after mat leave for 3 days a week (used to do 5), and a colleague who is also on mat leave (due to return two months after me) has requested the same three days (it's office based sales admin work).

My supervisor and office manager have come up with the idea of us job sharing. I see where they're coming from as they think it will be an easy option but I can't see it working. Colleague and I get on ok but she doesn't work anywhere near my pace, she would regularly take days off sick for something like a bunged up nose and often spent hours gazing into space or surfing the net (she has been bollocked for this in the past).

I have told my manager on the phone that I'm willing to see what they suggest in terms of a jobshare, but that I'm not comfortable having joint responsibility with this colleague over the projects that we would in effect jointly process, and that I'm not carrying her if she comes back to work with the same work ethic that she left with.

This jobshare is also on the basis that one of us moves our requested days so that the position is covered Mon-Fri. I can't really change mine as they are the easiest days for childcare (DP is changing his working days around) but I don't want her to feel forced into changing her days either. I have been there about 10 years more than her and have much more experience if that counts for anything.

They have asked to see us both together this week in a meeting to discuss how this jobshare will work. I feel they are treating us as a joint case rather than two separate cases. I can see the benefits of a jobshare but if it's with this particular lady I think I'll lose my marbles.

Can they offer a jobshare as the only solution? Should they be dealing with our applications together or separately? I don't want to sound too demanding or selfish but equally don't want pushing into something unsuitable.

Any tips or comments appreciated.

Consult your union; jobshares confer more rights than p/t. Cuts to tax Credits mean you need 24hrs p/w instead of 16. Get advice before deciding

I think you need to start from the position that the only thing you're entitled to is your 5 day a week job. Anything else is a negotiation between you and your employer. Assuming that your job won't disappear on the two days a week you don't want to work, then it may well be in the employers interests to make it a jobshare. You don't need to be best buddies with the job share partner or even have the same working style. You just need to between you, fulfil the requirements of the full time job

I would definitely go along and speak with the employer and see what's on offer. I would also keep quiet about having preferred working days, because frankly, that's no concern of your employer- they aren't under any obligation to offer you specific days to save you childcare costs.

It sounds as though rather than end up with various workers doing part time contracts on days which suit the employee, they want to tie things up by linking people together and retaining the full time post- because technically a job share is still one full time post. I can see tbh that this is far better for the company.

Hmm I always thought job-share contracts had LESS security than part-time ones. If the other person leaves the job-share has effectively broken down which leaves you vulnerable.....

Is it possible to split the roles so that they are two distinct part time roles rather than one full time role that is job-shared? Maybe you split the clients, or the sales staff you support?

They seem to think this is a fait-a-complit, which is isn't. Can you see them on your own to formally discuss your return, rather than with her. As it stands really her return to work is bugger all to do with you, and vice versa.

I'm not in a union.

I can see why they think a jobshare will be beneficial to the company but it would need some very clear guidelines on who was responsible for what. I think really they have thought as titchy says that they can just plonk us both back in a jobshare and that'll be it sorted, but it's not as simple as that.

I'll go in for the meeting with her and see what they say, I'm trying to at least appear as flexible and accommodating as possible, but I will be asking to see my manager on my own too as I'm a bit miffed they want to deal with us as a twosome for every part of this negotiation.

They will still advise you www.tuc.org.uk/tuc/rights_main.cfm

ooh thanks Julia, will take a look at that

Madre