Gender equality in action: job-sharing the Sunshine regional manager role

Support for flexible work arrangements – including for those with family and caring responsibilities – is part of our Gender Equality Action Plan and commitment to creating a more equitable workplace.

Liz Hughes and Carrie O’Shea have both worked at Victoria Legal Aid for many years at different offices, but began connecting with each other at a first-time parenting group.

They had both recently returned to work from parental leave, when an opening for the acting regional manager role at our Sunshine office came up. The pair saw an opportunity to apply as a job-share, by each working three days a week. Then, when the substantive role became available, they didn’t let the fact that they were both pregnant again stop them from applying.

‘There was no exclusion from the ongoing role because of taking an additional 12 months’ [parental] leave immediately to follow,’ said Liz.

‘I just remember thinking how amazing that was and how privileged we were to work in a workplace where they would be so flexible as to accommodate earlier interviews, to make sure that we didn’t go into labour,’ added Carrie.

Liz and Carrie shared the regional manager role for five years. The arrangement helped them to continue growing in their careers without having to compromise on time with family.

‘[I]t’s a really great opportunity to ... keep fulfilling myself and my professional progression, but also spending time with my children as they’re growing up,’ Liz said.

For Carrie, that step in her career was only possible due to the collaboration.

‘I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to be a regional manager if it wasn’t for Liz,’ she said.

‘She really helped me get across the line ... and I wouldn’t have got those skills or that opportunity if it hadn’t been for that really intensive way of working together.’

Earlier this year, Carrie was promoted to an associate director role in our criminal law team, while Liz continues to job-share the regional manager role with a new colleague. Liz has also recently had the opportunity to act in an associate director role in our regions and service delivery team.

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