Job sharing is an employment arrangement where the tasks and responsibilities of a fulltime position are shared between two people. In essence it is where two employees do the work of one, splitting hours and responsibilities. Pay, benefits and leave entitlements are usually shared on a pro-rata basis.
Since March 2015 all employees now have the right to ask for flexible working arrangements (Employment Relations Act 2000) and for the request to be considered in "good faith". Under the Act an employee can make a request for flexible working hours at any time and for any reason. Employers can refuse a request on one or more recognised business grounds:
- Inability to reorganise the work among existing staff
- Inability to recruit additional staff
- Detrimental impact on quality or performance
- Burden of additional costs
- Detrimental effect on ability to meet customer demand
- If it is inconsistent with the terms of any relevant collective employment agreement.