Women in Retail: Job sharing with Nikki and Lucy

Nikki:

​“Lucy and I have known each other for many years now after working together in Carterton. We work really well together and we communicate well. We have both worked in different stores in various different positions over the years so we bring different skills to the team.

Currently our Store Manager, Sean, is on annual leave so between Lucy and I the store has seven days of Team Manager cover, which wouldn't be possible with one fulltime Team Manager. Lucy and I are both creative so when it comes to making displays and organising fun days, we have loads of ideas on how to make things work, look great and engage with the public and our members.”

Lucy:

“Nikki and I have been job sharing in Highworth food market for about two and a half years now. We tend to take responsibility for different roles in store, but we have the same standards. We obviously don’t get many opportunities to work together so we have to have strong communication. We speak almost daily on the phone, text each other and send emails. We are both keen to be kept in the loop on our days off and feel it is important to know what we are coming into the following day.

Our Store Manager, Sean, knows our individual strong points and how to use them. We are both very much creative people and really enjoy engaging with our colleagues and customers. Our job share also works very well in our store as we have very different availability. We both have different roles at home when it comes to school runs and childcare, which makes our combined Team Manager working hours very flexible.”

Nikki:

“We don't really have challenges with the job share as we know each other so well and we communicate daily. The only thing that comes up is that we don't see each other very often as we work different days to ensure that the store has the most cover possible and, obviously, we cannot be off at the same time due to the store’s needs.”

Lucy:

“I would say the hardest thing to get right is communication. You have to be willing to work hard at perfecting it as the communication in a job share needs to go three ways, between the Store Manager and the two Team Managers, instead of only two.

In a job share role you seldom work together as it works better for the store if you spread the shifts across the week. When you work a day and then have a couple of days at home a lot can happen in that time. On return to store, you can feel a little disjointed and as if you are constantly chasing your tail trying to work out what needs doing and what has been done. Nikki and I are completely happy to speak to each other daily to catch up on the basics – bits we have missed and things we need to complete. Over time you will work out what works best for your induvial store.”

Nikki:

​“Definitely go for it! Having the opportunity to remain as a Team Manager/Team Leader part time is the perfect solution, still being able to use your skills and challenge yourself without compromising your home life.

Obviously, there are a few things to consider: who is the person you are going to job share with? Do they have the same work ethic/values and end goal as you? Being in a job share is just that – a job share – it is not an opportunity to try and outshine the person you share with or, on the flipside, let them do the lion’s share. A job share is a shared role for like-minded people that can share the spotlight and support each other in every task to ensure the success of the store that they are in. Ensuring that the team get the very best of both of you is key.”

Lucy:

“Working any job and juggling childcare is stressful, no matter where you work or what role you have. If you do think you can comfortably balance both this is a fantastic opportunity. I think firstly you need to explore your childcare options: do you have family/ friends who could help you out? Maybe after-school clubs? Nursery for younger children? Whatever you decide needs to be reliable and have longevity to provide you with the least amount of stress possible! From there you can work out the best availability you can give.

Ask yourself if you can be flexible. Are there days you may have difficulties? I think it's always best to be honest with your Store Manager about any issues you may have with childcare. You will find having a good working relationship with your Store Manager is very important. There will, no doubt, be times you may need a favour or have to swap a shift due to childcare. It’s always a good idea to return that favour as and when you can to benefit the store.

If you’re interested in a job share, speak to your Store Manager or District Manager to talk through your options and discuss who you think would compliment you and your skillset. If you decide a job share is for you, organisation is key. A diary or calendar will help! Kronos is helpful when organising, as you will have your schedule 4 weeks in advance – make sure you plan your week of work and childcare, yourself or with your partner, so everyone is clear on who is doing what.” 

Nikki:

​“In store we are a big family, and we are all working towards the same goal – to make the store a success. Working as part of a team and being able to help people is the part I enjoy the most. I know I can come to work and, regardless of what is happening in my life, I can feel supported. I always have someone to talk to, including Sean who is one of the most supportive managers I have worked with. I am a very supportive and compassionate person myself and I enjoy being able to help anyone who needs me. I have been here so long now that I can tell whether most colleagues are OK or not just by looking at their face – they know they can talk to me about anything and I will advise them as best as I can."

Lucy:

“I think my favourite thing about being a Team Manager is that I really enjoy teaching and coaching colleagues. I love sharing knowledge and ideas with other colleagues and listening to suggestions they might have to improve the store. I like getting people involved and feeling proud of where they work. Training colleagues to be multi-skilled and able to work in any area of the store is very beneficial, as we have a coffee shop and delicatessen. It also gives colleagues a confidence boost as they feel knowledgeable to help customers throughout the store.”

Nikki:

“Sometimes challenging and, like many places that have been affected by Covid, things are tough and we are ​currently pretty busy. Working through Covid has been difficult at times, but now things are starting to feel a bit more normal and our regulars are returning from isolation to enjoy things like the deli and coffee shop again. No two days are the same, there is always something going on. The coffee shop re-opening has been brilliant and customers are so happy that they can come in and join their friends for a catch up without worrying about whether they are safe.” 

Lucy:

“Every week is different for us at the moment, with some of the restrictions lifting and customers venturing out more frequently (and sometimes for the first time) we are seeing the store becoming busier. Our coffee shop has re-opened, creating a nice relaxed atmosphere for our customers. The Euros has brought back that much loved buzz that we have been missing for quite some time and it is nice to see customers starting to return to their normal shopping habits – cooking for guests, enjoying the sunshine by eating outdoors and trying to return to normal again.”

Nikki:

​“I was anxious to leave Oliver but I worked in our Carterton store at the time so I was only five minutes up the road. I felt supported on my return and my manager was great about my working hours etc. It was actually lovely to be back and be responsible for something other than preparing finger food!”

Lucy:

“If I am completely honest, I really didn’t want to come back! I felt very anxious leaving both of my children after my maternity leave. I had been with them 24/7 throughout my maternity leave and, naturally, I was very uneasy at the thought of leaving them at all.

As a family, my husband and I had decided that, when we had our first child, I would become part time at work and take a step down to Team Leader. At the time job sharing wasn’t heard of and I knew I couldn’t fulfil my current role on part-time hours. Over the years I was happy with my hours, but never really felt like I was driving my career forward and, while my children were growing up and thriving, I started to feel like I was standing still.

After some long conversations with my District Manager at the time, we discussed some options and career moves that would help me reach my full potential without compromising my homelife. Since then, I haven’t looked back and with my children growing before my eyes, I now feel like my career is back on track as well.”

Nikki:

​“Honestly, I don't know at the moment. I am happy where I am doing what I do best. I have a fab supportive team around me so I am not looking to progress currently. Oliver is still only nine years old and I want to ensure that he gets the very best of me through these very important years of his life. He gets upset if I miss too many school runs or if he has something important to tell me and I am not around, so I am grateful for the job share as it works so well for us.” 

Lucy:

“I am obviously happy at present. In the future I could see myself looking to take on more hours as a Team Manager but still within a job share. I would also be keen to look for suitable roles in Central Operations. I think the past year has shown us how working from home can now be a very real option. As I live quite some distance from our Warwick Head office, I would like to explore any options available to me which involves working some days from home to help with school runs and childcare.”

Are you interested in job sharing?

We are currently looking for colleagues to take part in our job share pilot.

Later in the year, we will be trialing 2 Store Manager job shares for a 3-month period (1 in a supermarket and 1 in a convenience store). This is available to any colleague regardless of gender that may already be a Store Manager or looking for their next career move.

If you’re interested in applying or want to find out more email matt.windridge@midcounties.coop and susan.barguss@midcounties.coop

Want to know more about opportunities to progress in Retail?

If you want to know more about how you can climb the career ladder in Retail (whether male or female), come along to one of our roadshows later in the year.

Pop the dates in your diary:

• 8 September – Oxford (venue TBC)

• 8 September – Virtual

• 12 October – (Venue TBC)

Kerrie Dawson has taken on her new role as Store Manager of Exhall

Zoe Hailing – promoted from Team Manager in Montpellier to Store Manager in Montpellier

Cassie Green – promoted from Team Manager in Wymans Brook to Store Manager in Bishops Cleeve