"Find your own job-share partner": how common is this?

[MyLatestNameChange]

I work part-time and am considering a move into a job-share role but my employer's job-share policy says that the responsibility for finding a job-share partner would be mine. That seems a huge ask. Is this common? Do other employers put the onus on job-sharers to find someone to job-share with?

Same policy where I work - I've always thought it was normal practice.

Yes I've seen this before. I think it's sensible otherwise you're reliant on the employer to put two job sharers together and decide it would work. If you approach them together and sell yourselves as a pair it's easier for them to say yes

That's interesting, thanks. I'm here for a reality check!

It's hard to recruit for part time hours if the hours have to be specific, I.e. To fit around your chosen hours. You're better off finding someone to share with and selling yourselves as PP suggested.

Personally I wouldn't want my work finding me someone who I then didn't get along with - as jobsharing requires you to work much more closely than just two part timers in the same department. However, there are things your employer could do to help make it easier for individuals interesting in job sharing getting together- such as networking events, talks by job shares on their experiences etc. There are also a (small!) number of companies who can offer to match you up - a bit like OLD - with other part time workers interested in job sharing. Not sure if they are more London centric though.

I’ve done it (twice). I ran it like an informal recruitment process, so a brief expression of interest form sent via flexible working networks, various contacts etc. Then I had a list of questions for people who gave me a ring about it. After that, I booked a coffee with everyone who was still keen after the phone call (some people ruled themselves out in terms of working days and other practical things). Then I narrowed it down to three, and my manager had a chat with each of them. Finally, we discussed who we thought would fit best.

It took ages! But it’s worth it - I love jobsharing. So much better than working part-time.