Jobshare Stories

Episode 45: The science of job sharing — intergenerational partnerships, talent retention and the psychology of the workplace with Dr Dawn H Nicholson

What does the research actually say about job sharing — and what does it tell us about the future of the workforce?

In this episode of Jobshare Stories, we're joined by Dr Dawn H Nicholson, business psychologist and honorary academic, whose career spans Morgan Stanley, PricewaterhouseCoopers and the University of Kent. Dawn is one of the few academics in the UK to have conducted detailed research lens onto job sharing — and her findings are fascinating.

In this episode, we talk about what older and younger workers really want from work and how jobsharing can create a solution that delivers for both; the power of the successor share model and what needs to change to make jobsharing a reality. 

A thought-provoking, research-backed conversation about why job sharing isn't just good for individuals — it's good for organisations, good for the economy, and good for society.

If you want to find out about how jobsharing can benefit your organisation, please visit www.TheJobshareRevolution.co.uk or find us on LinkedIn or Instagram @TheJobshareRevolution

#JobSharing #FlexibleWorking #IntergenerationalWork #BusinessPsychology #FutureOfWork #TalentRetention #SuccessorShare #JobshareStories

Episode 44: a complete career share - from pandemic frontline to the National Audit Office - with Verity Prime and Laura Lucking

What does it look like when jobsharing becomes a genuine career strategy — not just a flexible working arrangement?

In this episode of Jobshare Stories, we speak with Verity Prime and Laura Lucking, Executive Directors at the National Audit Office — the UK's public spending watchdog. Over six years and five organisations, they've jobshared their way from the Department for Education through COVID frontline response, the Department of Health, the National Lottery Community Fund, and now one of the most scrutinised offices in UK government.

We talk about:
🔹 How they found each other through a chance connection — and why trust was there from day one
🔹 Starting a jobshare in the week before the first COVID lockdown — and what happened next
🔹 Why jobsharing was the reason they could take on one of the hardest jobs of the pandemic
🔹 How to successfully job hunt and transition as a jobshare pair
🔹 The "landing well" routine they've developed every time they join a new organisation
🔹 Tips for line managers who haven't managed a jobshare before
🔹 Why jobsharing requires you to leave your ego at the door — and why that makes you a better leader

Their story is a masterclass in what's possible when two people are genuinely committed to a career share — and the results speak for themselves.

If you want to find out about how jobsharing can benefit your organisation, please visit
www.TheJobshareRevolution.co.uk

or find us on LinkedIn or Instagram @TheJobshareRevolution
#JobSharing #FlexibleWorking #PublicSector #CareerShare #FutureOfWork #WomenInLeadership #NationalAuditOffice #JobshareStories

Episode 43: If you can see it, you can be it — how role models, mentors and the right partner make job sharing work

What happens when you see job sharing modelled at every level around you, early in your career — and years later, find yourself doing exactly that in a senior role?

In this episode of Jobshare Stories, we speak with Linsey Craike and Megan Bradish, Deputy Directors in the Department of Health and Social Care. Megan is Linsey's second job share partner, making this a particularly rich conversation about transitions, matching, and what it really takes to make a job share partnership thrive.

In this episode, we discuss
- Why role models matter
- The importance of mentors in making the right match
- What it's like starting a job share when one of you has done it before and one of you hasn't
- How job sharing enables you to do the big, challenging, fulfilling roles — without sacrificing the rest of your life

Their story is a brilliant reminder that job sharing isn't a compromise — it's a superpower.

If you want to find out about how jobsharing can benefit your organisation, please visit www.TheJobshareRevolution.co.uk
or find us on LinkedIn or Instagram @TheJobshareRevolution

#JobSharing #FlexibleWorking #CivilService #RoleModels #FutureOfWork #TalentRetention #JobshareStories

Episode 42. Job sharing, maternity transitions & retaining great talent

What does it really take to make job sharing work and why should organisations care?
In this weeks episode of Jobshare Stories, Beccy Ireland and Sarah Trinham from Beiersdorf share their experience of job sharing their role as Marketing manager for the Nivea Men’s Brand - a setup that began eight months ago with Beccy and Lydia, and has since evolved as Sarah recently returned from maternity leave to step into the role.
We talk about:
- Job sharing as a powerful way to retain experienced talent
- Why returning from maternity into a job share helps people land quicker and with more confidence
- The role of coaching in building trust, clarity and high performance 
- How job sharing accelerates learning and development
- Why organisational support is absolutely critical - with Beiersdorf setting a brilliant example
If you’re interested in modern leadership, flexible working done well, or supporting parents without losing talent, this one’s worth a listen.
If you want to find out about how jobsharing can benefit your organisation, please visit 
www.TheJobshareRevolution.co.uk 
or find us on LinkedIn or Instagram @TheJobshareRevolution
#JobSharing #FlexibleWorking #TalentRetention #WomenInLeadership #ReturnToWork #FutureOfWork

Episode 41. Rethinking Leadership Through Job Sharing

What if some of our most senior leadership roles were designed differently?
In this episode of Jobshare Stories, we speak with Tessa Griffiths and Sarah MacLean, who are the Co-CEOs of Skills England, having jobshared together in a multitude of roles for over 18 years.  Our conversation shines a light on jobsharing at the very top and why it might be one of the most powerful, and underused, leadership models we have.
We talk about:
🔹 How senior jobsharing strengthens decision-making and performance
🔹 The role it plays in building leadership resilience, especially in high-pressure roles
🔹 Why shared leadership can help prevent burnout and create more sustainable careers
🔹 How flexible models like jobsharing can keep more talented people in work, including those with caring responsibilities or complex lives
This conversation challenges long-held assumptions about what leadership “should” look like and makes the case for designing roles around outcomes, not presenteeism.
If you’re interested in the future of work, inclusive leadership, and practical ways to retain and unlock talent, this one’s for you.
If you’d like to find out more around how jobsharing can help transform your organisation please visit www.TheJobshareRevolution.co.uk 
or find us on LinkedIn or Instagram @TheJobshareRevolution

#JobSharing #Leadership #FutureOfWork #FlexibleWorking #Inclusion #ResilientLeadership

Episode 40: Paying it forward - how one jobshare pair are amplifying the reach of jobsharing in the South West with Clare Freshwater-Turner and Annabelle Richards

Clare Freshwater-Turner and Annabelle Richards have jobshared a varied career at Lloyds Banking Group - ranging from Finance Learning & Development, ESG, Executive Assistant and core Finance and Accounting roles. Their story is one of the power of jobsharing to create opportunity and unlock potential. 

In this episode we explore their career-share and what motivates them to support other jobsharers - which led them to creating the South West Jobshare Network in the UK. Clare and Annabelle talk about the power of support networks and role models to normalise jobsharing and how all roles can be shared. 

To find out more about the South West Jobshare Network visit LinkedIn 

 

To find out more about our work, visit 

www.TheJobshareRevolution.co.uk 

or find us on LinkedIn or Instagram @TheJobshareRevolution

Episode 39 - The Secret to Jobshare Success - Clear Rules, Shared Trust.

In the latest episode of the podcast, We spoke with Monique Kent and Simon Oliver, who job share the Head of Communications role at Imperial War Museums.

Together they lead a major national organisation across five sites, manage a large team, and handle everything from long-term strategy to crisis communications.

This partnership came together following Monique’s return from parental leave with Simon having covered the role full time during this period and then suggesting this set up during the handover on her return.  Having shared on a traditional 3+3 basis for a significant period of time, they now operate a 3+5 model with Simon flexing up to work on strategic priorities on 2 of the days.
A few key takeaways from the conversation:
🔹 Clarity is essential – job sharing only works when there’s a clear system that everyone understands
🔹 Trust is non-negotiable – backing each other’s decisions is fundamental
🔹 Boundaries matter – knowing when to step back is just as important as knowing when to step in
🔹 Different strengths are an advantage – complementary skills can create better outcomes than a single “all-rounder”
🔹 Job sharing builds resilience – for individuals and organisations

Their story is a powerful reminder that flexibility at senior levels isn’t about lowering the bar, it’s about designing roles in a way that keeps great people, improves decision-making, and supports sustainable careers.
If you’re curious about job sharing, returning to work after parental leave, or rethinking how leadership roles are structured, this episode is well worth a listen. 
If you want to find out about how jobsharing can benefit your organisation, please visit 
www.TheJobshareRevolution.co.uk 
or find us on LinkedIn or Instagram @TheJobshareRevolution

Episode 38: Jobshare Connect @ Ford Credit Europe: how Ford's unique jobshare matching app came to the UK

In this episode we're shining a light on the brilliant work of Ford Credit Europe, where they implemented a unique jobshare matching app - to enable Ford employees to connect with potential jobshare partners. This app was spearheaded by the inspiring Sian Hodgson-Wood, Director of Engineering at Ford Credit Europe - a jobsharer herself who was determined to throw the ladder down and support others who wanted to work in this way.

Jobshare Connect is a fabulous initiative - showing that when you put the systems in place, anything is possible.

To find out more about jobshare connect, check out this video from Ford. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs0rDojABcw