Part-time work is a type of flexible working arrangement that is becoming increasingly important. It can provide more time for raising children, caring for relatives or enjoying leisure activities, and it can also be a way to earn money alongside studying.
One thing is clear today, however: part-time work is no longer just a trend, but a an integral part of the new world of work due to clear demand from society.
The demand for flexibility has increased dramatically since the start of the pandemic and its consequences. Demands for part-time jobs has outstripped the current supply in the labour market. Employers must now address with the issue to combat the shortage of skilled workers.
Could part-time work be the new full-time?
This trend is certainly on the rise, and to counteract the talent shortage, we need to reconsider how working hours are structured and developed with appropriate career models.
So, what does it take to enjoy a successful part-time career?
A corporate culture that promotes career advancement and flexible working.
It is essential to respond to the needs of both employees and the company. It is also important to strike healthy balance for both sides. Meetings should be organised in such a way that everyone can participate and no one should feel reluctant to attend because they are not flexible enough.
There needs to be creativity in terms of what a part-time job or career could look like.
In conversations I often hear that certain jobs have to be full-time and that you have to be available 24/7, otherwise it won’t work. However, I believe that if you are open to trying new things such as having a specific deputy arrangement or choosing a job-sharing model, then such a position can easily be filled on a part-time basis without compromising anything. This is even more advantageous for the company, because different people bring different talents and skills to the job.
Flow of information
As a part-time employee, you are not always available and may not always be immediately aware of everything. It is in everyone’s interest to find a way of communicating so that everyone is informed. For example, you could take minutes or implement a buddy system to inform employees who were unable to attend the meeting/discussions.
Diversity
Part-time work is not just a women’s issue, but a topic for everyone. Encouraging men to pursue part-time careers would help to create a healthy work-life balance and would be a good selling point for any company. Teams with a good mix of full-time and part-time employees, as well as gender diversity, gain invaluable experience. This greatly promotes „interaction“ and is an important part of any successful corporate culture.
Time and courage is needed
Every beginning is difficult, and it often takes a certain amount of courage to make change. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so it’s important to experiment with part-time career options and learn from the experience. Not everything will work right away, but if you don’t try, you won’t succeed.
If you need help implementing or coming up with ideas for part-time models, feel free to contact me – I’m happy to share my experience!
What is the best way to approach this issue?
There are a few things to consider when offering a career opportunity to a part-time employee: Being flexible and questioning the status quo are important first steps. We often get caught up in tunnel vision and fail to see what else is going on around us.
Covid-19 has taught us that the „new normal“ is very different from „the old“ one. In order to remain competitive as a company, new, flexible approaches must be taken.
My conclusion
People often believe that they have to deal with issues like these alone. That is not the case. It is important to exchange ideas with other companies and find the right methodology for your own organisation. Not all processes are suitable for every company culture. It is important to recognise the unique characteristics of each company and build on them.
There are always opportunities for flexibility, and supporting employees in this regard is the key. One good way to fill positions in new or different ways would be to try out possible working time models such as classic part-time or job sharing. This opens up a whole new talent market for the company and further strengthens the employer brand.
Those who recognise this will have a clear competitive advantage. After all the traditional 9-to-5 is almost a thing of the past. The desire to fulfil one’s own potential and needs is growing, especially now that employees can choose their jobs and make demands that would have been unthinkable in the past.
But don’t be put off, because as R. Branson once said:
„You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing and by falling over.“
