Two is the Magic Number
It’s a startling fact that just 14% of women who work in UK film or TV are parents compared with 75% in the UK industry (Raising Films).
Having worked as a freelancer in the industry for almost 10 years I took a break to have my children because although I was keen to continue working in an industry that I loved (and had spent my whole working life being a part of) I found the long hours and lack of flexibility impossible to juggle. My partner also works in the sector and there are little to no childcare provisions that cover the hours a week we would have been working.
The discussion around job-sharing is often from a parenting perspective because it’s the predominant challenge faced by experienced women in our industry and one that I have faced myself but flexible working mustn’t be seen as a something that is only for parents. There are a number of scenarios where employees can benefit from a bit of flexibility:
· Anyone with caring responsibilities
· Those with disabilities
· Those suffering from a long term illness
· Those with mental health or physical health concerns
· For those who just want a better work/life balance
Our industry is facing two big challenges at the moment: talent retention and diversity. We lose so many experienced and talented people due to an out-dated and detrimental approach to work. Many of us dedicate our lives to the industry, finding our way into a challenging freelance sector, building a career, developing exceptional specialist skills and because of working hours and the lack flexibility offered to us when we need it most, many of us often have no way to continue.
However exciting changes are happening and I want to share some of the work I’ve been doing with BECTU Vision to reform flexible working attitudes in our industry (job-sharing being just one of them) for the benefit of all. No matter your role in the industry, if you want to job share keep on reading to find out how!
Following having my children I had been seeking opportunities within film & TV that offered more conventional working hours so when the role of Manager of BECTU Vision (supporting skills development of freelance crew in Scotland) was advertised, myself and a colleague approached Prospect and BECTU to ask if they would consider a job-share application, which they did. When we were successful in getting the post, we were unsure of exactly how our time would be split as we both had childcare commitments and wanted to work similar patterns through the week. BECTU offered us the opportunity to work flexibly and split our hours however we felt practical. The message was simple, we won’t dictate your work pattern if you can deliver the work & hours and that BECTU Vision needs.
This approach to working was inspiring and refreshing after many unnecessary long nights spent in production offices. In our new roles we found ourselves on set speaking to crew and in passing chatting about our new job-share role. We were amazed by the number of crew who commented on how they would love to job-share their roles – across all departments; logistics, technical, craft and for a variety of reasons including childcare, mental health and a better work/life balance approaching retirement - but they all finished their sentences with ‘of course that could never happen in film & TV.’
And so the TakeTwo initiative was born. We created a blueprint for job-sharing in film & TV in partnership with job-share specialist further&more. The blueprint provides guidance on how to find a job-share partner and how to apply for jobs together. It also outlines how to work together to make the partnership as successful as possible including ideas like setting up shared email addresses and arranging effective handovers. Alongside the blueprint we offer coaching for new job-share pairings based in Scotland as well as support for employers who are hosting a job-share for the first time, to try and alleviate any ‘risk’ they may perceive hiring a job-share could bring by offering guidance and impartial support should any issues arise.
We are not a solo voice for the cause - incredible organisations (many led by women) such as Raising Films, Share My Telly Job, Media Parents and The Film & TV Charity shine light on the issues crew face due to the long working hours in film & TV, and many of them have tangible solutions to support flexible working and job-sharing as well. We are delighted to be part of this movement of voices growing louder.
If you need a bit of flexible working in your life you can find out more about the first steps though TakeTwo or the many other resources outlined above and learn how to join this movement by having the courage to propose a job share for your next role. By crew bringing the discussion to employers it helps break down barriers and the more conversations happening in as many departments across as many productions as possible works to normalise flexible working.
And It’s important to note that a flexible working arrangement won’t just benefit you, it will benefit the productions and employers greatly too. Here are a few practical points you can use to pitch your job-share / flexible working proposal on your next job:
· It retains crew at time when rapid growth is leading to crew shortages and helps increase diversity within crews by enabling people to continue to work in film & television.
· It brings with it huge creative & logistical benefits - two heads are better than one in making decisions and developing creative ideas.
· Increasing well-being, job-sharers are free from the conflict of trying to make a full-time role fit with other commitments.
Through all the resources and support available there should be no crew member out there who feels they can’t explore how flexible working could help them - and no employer, production company or HOD unwilling to discuss a flexible working as an option for any role on any job. The film and TV industry can use this moment in time to change its perspective to one that supports and nurtures the talent who simply need a little bit of flexibility to survive and thrive. Good luck exploring job sharing and definitely let us know how you get on!
