Job Cuts Will Happen – Job Sharing Might Be the Answer

Brisbane, 28 May 2020. In an era where government is desperately trying to keep workers in jobs, it’s not politically correct to talk about job cuts. But the brutal truth is, they’re going to happen. And the only way at-risk workers are going to survive the post-COVID-19 economy is by making some early, innovative and flexible changes… and employers must be willing to do the same. Job sharing is one of these.

Since COVID-19, almost one million Australians are out of work. This is not set to change any time soon with the Federal Treasury forecasting unemployment will rise to 10% in the June quarter.

PM Scott Morrison has confirmed that more than five million employees are benefitting from JobKeeper payments, while another one million are benefitting from JobSeeker relief. More than one million people are also accessing their own super, and 384,000 businesses are accessing around $7 billion in cash flow assistance. These subsidies are helping keep workers in work and employers’ doors open. But it won’t last forever.

Statista estimates that in 2021, unemployment will remain incredibly high at almost 9%. But that doesn’t take into account job cuts from organisations who are looking to undo the economic damage brought on by the current situation.

David Moloney, of consulting platform Internal Consulting Group, said to the Australian Financial Review, ‘All firms talk about cost reduction but they don’t say how or why. The number one option is to reduce labour…. At the moment it is still too early to talk about staff reduction, but of course the virus has exposed pockets of unproductive labour and accelerated digitisation so it’s created an opportunity to right size’.

What can you do to keep your job?

Employers and employees need to start thinking about how they can keep their job not about whether they will. This means innovative thinking and flexibility will be key.

Elite strategy consulting house McKinsey say, ‘[T]hose who step up their game will be better off and far more ready to confront the challenges – and opportunities – of the next normal than those who do not’.

Job Sharing Might Be the Answer

Australia was already experiencing a rising share of part time workers (31% in 2018, up from 25% in 1998) and now Catherine Goos and Kristy Wong, job sharing experts and founders of Biz Design Queens, believe that job sharing might just be the answer to how to step up.

‘Job sharing is the flexible approach that many organisations will need to embrace our new future. It allows companies to build a stronger and more efficient workforce while saving on labour costs. And it will save many, many jobs, at least partly’, says Catherine. ‘Rather than cutting back staff, combining two roles into one job share role keeps staff at least partially employed. It keeps workers in the workforce, and keeps more families with income.’

Kristy says, ‘It also adds efficiencies into the organisation. The organisation keeps the expertise of both staff members and there is always someone to cover the role in the situation of sick leave or holidays. That means less downtime and more resources saved.’

Employers and employees who embrace job sharing roles as they reimagine their business model in the post-COVID-19 world may find themselves with stronger companies and a happier workforce. It could eliminate the need for a swathe of job cuts and would keep expertise within the walls of the organisation.

Catherine says, ‘Job sharing isn’t the answer to every problem, but it certainly provides a new approach for organisations as they navigate the challenges and opportunities that the next few years will bring’.

About Biz Design Queens: Biz Design Queens was founded by Kristy Wong and Catherine Goos after an incredibly successful job-sharing roles in the mining sector at BHP and in their own business, Homely Creatures. With their combined experiences as business owners, entrepreneurs and corporate flexible working arrangement experts, they founded Biz Design Queens. Kristy and Catherine are taking their many years of successfully job sharing and educating employees that want to start working flexibly and working while also helping businesses to implement successful job-share positions into their organisational structure.

*Catherine and Kristy are available for interviews.*

Media enquiries
Kristen Lowrey
M 04 1286 4088
E kristen@kmlowrey.com

Other enquiries
Biz Design Queens
M 0417 892 283 (Kristy)
M 0418 735 550 (Catherine)
E catherineandkristy@bizdesignqueens.com.au
or visit the website, https://www.bizdesignqueens.com.au/