§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are employed in his Department on a job share contract; and what percentage of vacant positions was advertised on this basis in the last 12 months. [35362]
§ Angela EagleJob sharing is only one of a number of alternative and flexible working patterns that employees are welcome to take up. The flexibility of the pattern is decided in conjunction with local management to suit an individuals need and the needs of their work. For example, 11 per cent. of staff work part-time in a range of ways from reduced days per week to working alternate weeks. 38 staff are currently recorded as being job sharers in the Home Office, United Kingdom Passport Service and Forensic Science Service. Information on staff in the Prison Service who are job sharers is not held centrally and could not be provided without disproportionate costs.
It is Home Office policy (including the Prison Service) to advertise jobs as being open to part-timers or job sharers unless there is an operational reason for not doing so. Information on the percentage of posts advertised to job sharers is set out in the table.
Vacancies advertised over the last 12 months to 31 December 2001 Percentage Home Office1 95.8 United Kingdom Passport Service 91.9 Prison Service 2— Forensic Science Service 3— 1Period of advertising 26 April-31 December 2001. 2Information not available. 3In the Forensic Science Service (FSS) part-time work is readily available without the need to find job share partners. We are currently establishing a database to assist staff to find job-share partners. We have also volunteered to participate in the similar Cabinet Office cross-Whitehall scheme that they are setting up.