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YMCA NSW has demonstrated how job sharing can multiply values and value with the appointment of a pair of communications professionals in their Communications Manager role.

With five children under the age of 13 between them, Bree Godden and Emma Whale or ‘BreeEmma’ as they have been affectionately dubbed by their colleagues, have now been job-sharing a communications role in three workplace incarnations.

The friends and co-workers have welcomed the flexibility shown by YMCA NSW, which reaffirms the Y’s commitment to strengthening children and families.

YMCA NSW Chief Executive Leisa Hart was impressed by the team’s initiative in their application, with the pair were relieved to find that “for once, we didn’t have to explain how a job share role worked”.

Hart explained “it’s about the right person for the job.

“Plus in comms I think having two heads is definitely better than one.”

Godden and Whale met in a former workplace, and quickly recognised their complementary strengths, working styles, and desire to maintain a good work-life balance whilst not missing out on opportunities for career progression.

After three years of working together, they began pitching themselves jointly for management positions as job-share roles and have fine-tuned their arrangements over the past two years.

With YMCA NSW, Godden works three days a week, and Whale two. They both are in the office at least one day a month together, and are in constant communication with each other.

Whale comments “we want people’s experience of us to be seamless.

“If someone picks up the phone to call either of us, or meets with us, they should get the same response. Plus if one of us in on holidays, the other can step in to cover the other.”

Godden adds “we’re really committed to making it work, and everyone here has been so welcoming and accommodating.

“We can see and feel the values alignment, and that makes coming to work a pleasure.”

Hart wants to encourage other leaders and workplaces to consider the merits of flexible work arrangements.

She concludes “if flexible work arrangements, such as this job-share can align with one of our values by providing children with more time to be empowered and supported by their parents, then it’s definitely something that I’m going to support and encourage fellow CEOs and people managers to consider.”

Images: Bree Godden and Emma Whale (top) and Leisa Hart (below).

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