What's the difference between flexible, part time and job share

[gingerninja]

Currently work PT but am having to apply for my position as part of a restructure. I've been told that the above three options need to be discussed (with them very obviously leaning on the side of flexible) but what does that mean in reality? I currently work 3 fixed full time days. Does that mean they'd have the flexibilty to request that I change a Thursday for a Monday one week for instance?

Job share - 2 people share one workload, and normally one working week, to cover a whole post.

Part-time - what you're doing now.

Flexible - most common is that you have an agreed workload (full or part-time) and you complete this to suit both you and employer. I work in this way. I do a 21 hour week over 3 days. I work a long Tuesday, and cover the on-call rota then. This allows me to work 2 short days, which really helps with childcare logistics.

hth

Flexible means it can vary - so in theory they could ask you to cary your days, or it could be term time or soemthing, or more hours at the busier times.

Part time is what you are doing - fixed days adn hours but not the ful weekly hours

Job share is when 2 people share a job - i.e. the hours that they do add up to full time hours. It can work really well for all concerned - but note - if hte other party leaves, then you will be responsible for finding another partner or covering the hours - as the company are effectively employing you both under one full time job.

If I were you, I would work out just how flexible you are prepared to be before going in there. And be careful about being too clear on it if you decide that you won't be anything other than part-time, as it might be held against you (unofficially).

I think if they are leaning towards flexible they need to define for you what they mean by that, as it is a very vague thing and can mean different things in different companies, different jobs, different bosses, etc

I think you would be better placed to discuss 'flexible' as an option if you were fully aware what that would entail, so I'd recommend asking before the meeting.

OK, thanks very much. There is another lady who does 2 days per week and we had proposed a job share arrnagement which management are obviously trying to avoid as I was told it's very complicated.

My DD is in nursery three days which is pretty fixed, I'm not sure I could be flexible in that arrangement so essentially I'm not very flexible am I?

Thanks for your advice