Job Sharing

HC Deb 19 March 2003 vol 401 cc805-6W

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the extent of job sharing in his Department. [90863]

Mr. Paul Murphy

In the Northern Ireland Office 34 out of 1,596 full-time equivalent staff job share.

Job sharing is only one of a number of alternative and flexible working patterns that employees are welcome to take up. There are also, for example, 142 who work part-time.

In the Northern Ireland Administration 276 out of the 26,300 permanent staff employed job share.

Job sharing is only one of a number of work-life balance options available to employees. Over 2,500 work part-time hours. Flexible working hours and alternative working patterns also operate.

As a major employer, the Northern Ireland Civil Service has for many years recognised the benefits that both individuals and the organisation can realise by enabling employees to have a flexible approach to their working day.