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Is it good to share? Debating patterns in availability and use of job share

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  • Simeon Coleman Author name: Vitor Leone

Abstract

This article investigates job share, specifically considering current availability and use of this flexible working arrangement. Empirical analysis is conducted on waves 11-19 (2000-2010) of the British Household Panel Survey and wave 2 (2010-11) of Understanding Society. The evidence is indicative of job share remaining a marginal work-life balance policy, but one which has specific uses in providing flexibility for certain groups, including working mothers. Differences between availability and use, however, suggest job share may be perceived as a 'last resort' by employees, although this disparity could reflect divergence in employer attitudes to availability (being seen as engaging in 'good' HR practice) and use (generating substantial 'costs'). This may prevent expansion of the use of job share, for example to ameliorate unemployment. There remain questions, though, regarding whether limited use is a result of institutional barriers driven by business case arguments, or the practical limitations of current job share constructs.

Suggested Citation

  • Simeon Coleman Author name: Vitor Leone, 2013. "Is it good to share? Debating patterns in availability and use of job share," NBS Discussion Papers in Economics 2013/01, Economics, Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbs:wpaper:2013/01
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Employee flexibility; flexible working arrangements; institutional barriers; job share; satisfaction levels; work-life balance.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C10 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - General
    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models
    • G00 - Financial Economics - - General - - - General
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions

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