Job sharing: an annotated bibliography

Abstract

This is the first comprehensive annotated bibliography to be published on job sharing. Complete citations and annotations are included for over 825 books, articles (both periodical and newspaper), and related publications that describe job sharing in the U.S., England, Canada, and Australia. A form of part-time employment, job sharing occurs when a full-time job is divided by two people who voluntarily work part-time and share the responsibilities and benefits of the full-time position. Experiments with job sharing began as early as 1965. Since the 1970s we have seen the practice steadily increase, particularly in business, industry, government, and education. During the 1980s, job sharing became a significant work alternative, and its unusual flexibility will increase its popularity in the 1990s. Job sharing is beneficial to various groups of people: those who have family commitments, including spouses and single parents who want to work while raising a family; those over 55 who wish to phase into retirement; those who cannot work full-time for health reasons; those who wish to pursue educational opportunities; and those who desire more flexibility in their work and leisure time.