The “Flexibility at Novartis” series spotlights associates who have one thing in common: They work flexibly. As a result, they are able to manage the demands of their work and private lives. Flexible working can boost employee engagement while increasing efficiency and productivity. This series provides a glimpse into flexible working at Novartis.
Robert Gschwentner and Stefan Lackner have a job-share arrangement as Process Unit Heads at Novartis Technical Operations in Kundl, Austria. They share their story below.
We share one job
Everybody has different needs, which keep changing in the course of one’s life. Our job share gives us the possibility to be successful in our work without having to neglect our family and our private life.
We discuss important decisions together, which we think leads to a better solution.
We are responsible for the manufacturing processes in a sterile production unit with a team of around 80 people in Kundl, Austria. We both work 62.5%, with at least one day each week when we are in the office together. Our different experiences and strengths complement each other. One of us focuses more on human resources, financial investments and engineering matters, whilst the other takes care of audit, compliance and microbiology. We do not separate tasks and responsibilities too strictly, though. At the end, we deputize each other in all areas.
What makes our job share so valuable is that one of us is always accessible on site. In very busy times, we can both work, as needed. And we discuss important decisions together, which we think leads to a better solution.
