Goodstart’s Kylie Morrison leans into flexible work arrangements and job sharing 

Centre Director Kylie Morrison is one of a growing number of early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals who are embracing a more flexible approach to the world of work, undertaking her busy leadership role in a job sharing model after 25+ years in the sector. 

She proposed the arrangement when returning from parental leave, asking her manager if she could share the role.

“I just put that on the table,” she shared with The ABC.

“Job-sharing directors were really scarce, but Goodstart were focusing a lot on reinventing and challenging the status quo. They were very open and willing to look at it.”

That was two and a half years ago, and since then she hasn’t looked back. She was involved in the recruitment process for the ‘other half’ of her role, and credits good communication as being the crucial element of success in making the arrangement work. 

In depth emails, clear and direct communication, and a willingness to grow and evolve the position and its structure over time have also been supportive. 

“We weren’t sure how this would look, but we’ve grown and developed over time,” Ms Morrison said. 

Having a thorough handover process each week has benefitted them both, as well as having one day a week where both people are sharing physical space. 

“I’m currently looking for a three-day-a-week director, so we’ll be back to having a day where we’re together and overlapping,” she explained. 

“The benefits in my opinion are huge, it allows the best of both worlds — working and being a mum.”

“I can attend school events, I can have “mental health days” and do household tasks. It also means that my co-director also has the same lifestyle in a very supportive way within the work environment and therefore we can be more productive within the centre.”

And if she is ever away, Ms Morrison says she doesn’t feel guilty about her absence.

“We do help support each other, if one of us is on leave or can’t make it in, we sort of tag team, or pick up a day, drop a day, whatever the case may be.”

Finding balance

Business leadership expert and author, Dr Brenda Jamnik says job-sharing is becoming much more common in Australian workplaces.

“Before COVID it was only an option usually for women who went on maternity leave,” she shared with The ABC.

“What’s now happening is that there is a skills shortage, and also a concept of applying work-life balance.”

For employers her advice is to recognise the value of having skilled and experienced staff, and to be willing to adapt to requests.

Dr Jamnik says whether an employer will approve a job-share arrangement comes down to the size and the type of organisation. Her advice for those seeking to implement such arrangements with their employer is “don’t go empty handed.” 

Offering solutions and insights about how the role may work, and what skills and attributes the supplementary employee may need can help to bring clarity to all involved.

“They (the employee) don’t need to find the other half of their role,” she continued, “but what is important is to understand that we all have strengths in different areas.”