Job-shareWhen two people share the duties and responsibilities of one job that would usually be full time, it is called a job-share. The responsibilities are not split to create two separate part-time jobs, but are shared. Many job-sharers have worked in a position full time and requested the change. Some job advertisements specifically state whether it is suitable for job-sharing. You may become a job-sharer by applying for a suitable job jointly with another person, or you might take a job where one person is already a jobsharer. The success of the arrangement is highly dependent on your working relationship with your job-share partner. It requires a high level of confidence and trust between partners and is not an option to be entered into without giving serious consideration to how it will work in practice. Since 6 April 2009, people who have a child under the age of 16 or a disabled child under 18, or who act as carers, have had the right to apply to job share. To check whether you qualify, consult the Employment pages at Directgov. Under these regulations, the employer can turn down the request on 'objective business grounds', but must justify the refusal. back to top Portfolio workersPortfolio workers take on a variety, or ‘portfolio’, of work activities to earn their living. They have clients and customers rather than jobs and employers and are usually home based. This arrangement is common in the early careers of graduates in art and design-related fields when they are building up experience. It may be a stepping stone to traditional employment or may be attractive in its own right for the freedom and variety it offers. Downsides include the uncertainty of obtaining enough work, irregular earnings and lack of employment benefits. Some experienced professionals choose portfolio working to add interest and variety to their working lives. Portfolio working depends on a very high level of organisational skills and the ability to cope with different work styles and work to deadlines. back to top Fixed-term contractsThe use of fixed-term employment contracts is an established feature of the UK labour market. These contracts may be used by employers to assess individuals’ suitability for employment before putting them on a full-time contract. This may be to the employees’ advantage since it is an opportunity to prove their abilities. Short-term contracts have become very common and it is difficult to assess how many workers are employed on this basis. Some posts may be advertised as graduate internships. Some people choose to work on specific short-term projects, moving on to the next as each is completed in order to build up a range of experience and decide which area of work they prefer. In some sectors, particularly education, it may be difficult to progress to a permanent position without having completed several years worth of short contracts. This can be unsettling and require moving to different locations. This type of ‘contracting’ requires a certain confidence that more work will be available when the current contract has finished. It also requires you to foster good working relationships and develop your reputation in order to ensure the next contract will come along. Since 2002, workers on fixed-term contracts have the same employment rights as permanent employees. back to top FreelancingFreelancing is hiring yourself out to work on a specific piece of work or project. You are effectively selling your skills and time and will be paid an hourly rate or a fee for a specified job. You will usually work to a specific brief. Freelance work has been on the increase for the past decade. Originally most associated with the media sector - publishing, journalism, graphic design - to name a few, it has spread to many other sectors. Freelancers are technically self-employed and must register as such with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The advantages and disadvantages are similar to those of being self-employed, but vary between sectors. You can find useful advice and links at Freelance UK, and also see self employment. back to top Agency workAgency work is putting yourself ‘on the books’ of an agency which calls on you when employers have need of temporary cover. You can accept or reject what is offered. The disadvantage is the unpredictability: assignments vary from a few hours to a few weeks and there is no guarantee of employment. Supply teaching and bank nursing are forms of agency work. Temping agencies may either deal with a wide variety of employment or specialise in particular areas of work. This is a good option when you are looking for permanent employment and want to get experience for your CV. You need to be versatile and adaptable to fit in to different environments and work cultures. back to top What flexible working pattern suits my needs?Go to Flexible Working Options - which contains an interactive questionnaire to get you thinking about the best flexible working pattern for you, and although it doesn't cover all of the options - it is a really good place to start.
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