- The Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) wants the water industry to be stronger, through innovation and by demonstrating that co-leadership can be advantageous. The organisation is setting the tone from the top on flexible work arrangements by having a job-share of an Executive role.
- The VEWH Commission appointed co-Chief Executive Officers, Dr Sarina Loo and Beth Ashworth, in late 2019. Both Sarina and Beth work three days a week, which enables a day of handover.
- We have learned that:
- There can be real benefits to both individuals and the organisations they work for to adopt a ‘top-sharing’ arrangement and embrace a dual leadership mindset
- There are productivity increases. Each Executive is very focused and energised during their limited time and conscious of not leaving things undone for their counterpart. They hold each other to account, help to drive each other’s performance and are conscious of representing each other.
- The arrangement fosters collaborative executive team culture.
- Job-sharing enables ongoing career advancement at a time when women can have significant parental responsibilities that might limit their ability to take on Executive roles. However, it can be attractive for both men and women who may want to work flexibly to fit in with modern life and is not limited to part-timers.
- Successful co-leadership needs commitment, collaboration and honest conversations.
4. Job-sharing brings flexibility, opportunity and strengthened decision-making. The arrangement demonstrates commitment to a mentally healthy workplace and contributes to collaborative, constructive cultures.