Applying for Job Share

[ahedgehogisHibernating]

Oh wise mumsnetters please help me

Bit of background

I work in the finance industry, in a small branch with 4 members of staff, 1 part time and 3 full time
I am due to return to work from ML on Monday. I applied for flexible working (part time, 3 days a week) which was declined as they were unable to recruit anyone else part time.
The part time member of staff returned from her ML in October and is currently working 5 days 9 - 2, but is unhappy with this and has recently spoken to me about doing a job share.
I can see that their are some problems with this as we both occupy different positions (she is clerical, I am sales management) so I am not sure whether they would reduce my salary or keep both of us on the same salaries we are on now.

I really need some help in how to word this to my employers, as positively as possible to ensure that they consider this seriously (I don't think they did this with my request to return part time) and make it successful for us both.

If you need anymore info please ask, although I am going to make the most of my last weekend with 7mo DS

Message withdrawn

If she were to job share with you, you would both be paid at your rate. However, whether or not she could job share with you would depend on whether she had the skills and experience to take on what is effectively a promoted role. Even if she can demonstrate this, an employer could still find a way round by saying that for business reasons, there needs to be a consistent approach with one person fulfilling the role.

I would go in gently and say oh this is exciting news, so-and-so has said she would love to job share with me, I can show her the ropes, train her up etc. If they blank you then you will have to think about getting tougher and putting in a formal request to work flexibly, they will then have to give you specific reasons why you can't, and show they have advertised etc.

Enjoy your last weekend, my DS is the same age, I went back in November, oh woe.

Oops have just rethought. She might not get the same rate as you, it would depend on your employer's salary scheme. They could pay her less for doing your job on the basis that she doesn't have the same amount of experience, or is on probation. That's her battle really. They would have to keep your salary on a pro rated basis, anything less could be discrimination on grounds of working part time.

I cannot see how that would work tbh, you can't job-share if you don't do (broadly) the same job