Jobsharing evolved – why creating a jobshare that’s right for you, right for your partner and right for the organisation is the secret to success
As part of our International Men’s Day spotlight, we were recently joined on our Jobshare Stories Podcast by Nick Nugent – Platforms Resilience Manager at JP Morgan. Nick’s story is unique in many ways – it’s unfortunately less common to see men jobsharing and Nick is not in a typical 3 + 3 jobshare. So it was fascinating to hear his story and insight, and learn about why men need to do more to break down barriers on flexible working. Nick’s story stands is a powerful example of how job sharing can transform lives—especially for men.
Breaking the Stigma: A Male Perspective on Job Sharing at JP Morgan
Nick, an Infrastructure Platforms Resiliency Manager at JP Morgan, has been job sharing for the past three years. His journey into part-time work wasn’t driven by a desire to job share specifically, but by a need to rebalance his life. With two young children and a growing sense of burnout, Nick realised he needed to make a change.
In our conversation, Nick was candid about the stigma men face around part-time work and job sharing. He recalls feeling nervous about requesting parental leave and worried about how it would be perceived. But he feels strongly that more men need to bite the bullet and try jobsharing – because it can be transformational for their wellbeing, their family life and enhance their careers as well.
As Nick rightly notes, fewer men than women request flexible working and fewer are granted it – but this needs to change. Sharing examples of men jobsharing – and working other flexible patterns – is critical to change perceptions and start to demonstrate that part-time working is for all.
Nick Nugent - jobsharing pioneer at JP Morgan
“There’s a stigma against part-time working, especially for men. But attitudes are changing—and they need to. Men being more involved at home helps reduce the motherhood penalty and creates healthier families.”
A unique Job Share Model that works for Nick, his jobshare partner and their employer
Nick’s job share isn’t the traditional split-week model. He works four days a week, while his partner—who is nearing retirement—works two. They overlap on working days, allowing for real-time handovers and collaboration. This setup leverages their complementary skills and experiences, creating a dynamic and resilient team
Nick’s jobshare partnership is an example of a theme we’re seeing more and more of at The Jobshare Revolution – the multi-gen jobshare. Whilst Nick’s key driver for jobsharing is his wellbeing and spending time with his young family, his jobshare partner is at the other end of his career. He is nearing retirement and jobsharing was identified as a win-win solution as part of succession planning conversations when he was considering his options. Rather than losing all of the knowledge when an experienced colleague retires, JP Morgan have created a “succession pair” – with an opportunity to retain the experienced person for longer, but also baking in organisational resilience and succession planning, as the knowledge transfer in this jobshare partnership is incomparable to traditional working patterns.
This model is a win-win solution for a multi-generational workforce. Not only does their employer get the benefit of a well rested, motivated Nick, working a pattern that works for him – but they’ve also been able to retain his brilliant partner, and create an unrivalled approach to succession planning.
Nick’s top tips for jobsharing
Nick recognised that it took time to find a way of working that worked for him and his partner. They had to adapt and learn as they go – adjusting to the changing working environment and learning how to work together. Nick offered some practical advice for anyone considering a job share:
Be proud of your working arrangement—don’t apologise for it. Nick noted that often people feel apologetic for not working full time – he suggests embracing it. Be proud of your working pattern and tell people how it works
Communicate clearly with your partner, manager, and team. Being part of a jobshare is different to doing a role alone, so it takes time to learn to communicate effectively. Alongside this, you need to stay organised to make sure transitions are effective. Make the effort to do it, as it will pay off.
Be flexible when the role or team needs it. Sometimes unexpected activity will mean you need to adapt or work differently to standard – accept this and embrace it, as the benefits outweigh the downsides.
His main advice though was to find a way that works for the jobsharers and the organisation. He said
“You are sharing a job, but there’s no one-size-fits-all. You can make it work for you, your partner, and your employer—so all three of you are better off.”
This is wise advice – every jobshare is different, so working together to find a solution that works can lead to huge benefits for individuals and organisations.
A lifestyle shift
Since starting his job share, Nick has lost three stone, improved his fitness, and found a better balance between work and home life. He feels like he’s become both better at work and at home since jobsharing and it’s enabled him to make a lifestyle shift that wouldn’t have been possible if he’d remained working full time.
“I was overweight, stressed, and not spending the quality time with my kids that I wanted to. Job sharing gave me the space to be present at home and take care of my health.”
As part of International Men’s Day and Men’s Mental Health month, this quote really resonated with us. Jobhsaring has the power to open up all roles to part-time and have a profudn impact on health and well being. This episode of Jobshare Stories was a really powerful conversation. Nick is a real inspiration for anyone (of any gender) considering jobsharing! Nick’s story reminds us that job sharing isn’t just for mums—it’s for dads, creatives, retirees, and anyone seeking a better way to work. It’s time to break the stigma and embrace the flexibility that benefits everyone.
Join The Jobshare Revolution
If you want support to implement jobsharing in your organisation or jobshare coaching for yourself of your team, get in touch to see how we can help.
To hear more about Nick’s story and jobsharing at JP Morgan - search for “Jobshare Stories” wherever you get your podcasts
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