Sharing a Job
Posted: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 6:09 PM by Samuel Singal
By Robin Skolnick, NBC Nightly News Producer
Much like Tina Heany, who is profiled in tonight's Rehema Ellis spot I have a flexible work schedule. I share my job on Nightly News with my friend and colleague Anne Binford Allen.
Anne and I knew we wanted to job share years ago... we first pitched the idea and were turned down without discussion. Sometime later, a wonderfully creative and supportive woman who became an executive in the front office, made the job share happen for us. We were given a 6-month trial period and told if anyone we worked for was unhappy, the job share could be canceled without explanation. That was 14 years ago.
When Anne and I are asked how to pitch a job share, we always say the first step is to find a partner - someone you work well with and want to share a job with. Most important: remember it's not up to the company to make it work, it is up to you and your partner.
I work Monday, Tuesday and every other Wednesday. For me, the schedule has been a gift. I've have been able to work in a job I love and be home with my family. Job sharing has allowed me to have that elusive balance between home and work. I have been home for school plays, ball games and sore throats... our standing family joke is my kids are not allowed to get sick on days I work! Job sharing has also given me the freedom to try my hand at being a den mother (possibly the world's worst), a softball coach and an intramural basketball commissioner.
I love what I do and the schedule in which I do it... but I've been lucky -- my company and my boss (thanks, Brian!) have been extremely supportive. When people ask if I worry I've damaged my career by working "flex" time, I say to the contrary -- I'm confident I'll be given the same enthusiastic support in the next phase of my career as I have been given in this one.
Read more on our special series, 'Secret to Her Success' here.
