Job-sharing apps are becoming increasingly popular, with some comparing the experience to online dating. These platforms, such as WeJobShare and Job Share Connect, allow users to find potential job-sharing partners, expanding the pool of candidates beyond friends and colleagues. Ford, for example, has its own in-house “matchmaking tool” for employees interested in job sharing. The platforms use algorithms to match users based on their skills, preferences, and career goals. The goal is to create more opportunities for women, who are more likely to work part-time due to factors like childcare responsibilities. Job sharing is seen as a critical solution to the challenges women face in the job market, such as hindrances to career progression due to childcare responsibilities. However, there are concerns about biases in the algorithms used by these platforms and the ability to assess soft skills and chemistry between potential job-sharing partners. Despite these concerns, job sharing is seen as a beneficial arrangement for both employees and employers, challenging fixed expectations and broadening perceptions of what is possible in the workplace.
Original news source: The job sharing apps that feel like online dating (BBC)
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Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Headline Creation
Instructions: In pairs, create a catchy headline for an article about job-sharing apps. Make sure to summarize the main idea and highlight the benefits and challenges of this new trend.
– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Create a spectrum on the board with “Strongly Agree” on one end and “Strongly Disagree” on the other. Give each student a sticky note and ask them to write their opinion on job-sharing apps. Have them place their sticky notes on the spectrum based on their level of agreement or disagreement. Then, encourage students to discuss their opinions with a partner and try to find common ground.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide students into small groups. Give each group a set of vocabulary words related to job-sharing apps. One student from each group will draw a word while the other group members try to guess what it is. The team that guesses the most words correctly wins.
– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Give each student a copy of the article. Set a timer for 2 minutes and ask students to individually write a summary of the article. After the time is up, have students pair up and share their summaries. Then, ask students to find a new partner and share their partner’s summary. Repeat this process until students have shared their summaries with multiple classmates.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: In small groups, have students discuss and make predictions about the future of job-sharing apps. Encourage them to consider the potential impact on the job market, workplace dynamics, and gender equality. After the discussion, ask each group to share their predictions with the class and facilitate a class-wide discussion on the topic.
Comprehension Questions:
1. How are job-sharing apps compared to online dating?
2. What is the purpose of job-sharing platforms like WeJobShare and Job Share Connect?
3. Why is job sharing seen as a critical solution for the challenges women face in the job market?
4. What are some concerns about the algorithms used by job-sharing platforms?
5. How do job-sharing apps match users?
6. What is the goal of job-sharing apps like Ford’s “matchmaking tool”?
7. How do job-sharing apps expand the pool of candidates for potential job-sharing partners?
8. How does job sharing challenge fixed expectations and broaden perceptions in the workplace?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Job-sharing apps are becoming increasingly popular, with some comparing the experience to online dating. These platforms, such as WeJobShare and Job Share Connect, allow users to find potential job-sharing partners, expanding the pool of candidates beyond friends and colleagues. Ford, for example, has its own in-house “matchmaking tool” for employees interested in job sharing. The platforms use algorithms to match users based on their skills, preferences, and career goals. The goal is to (1)______ more (2)______ for (3)______, who are more likely to work part-time due to factors like childcare responsibilities. Job (4)______ is seen as a critical solution to the challenges women face in the job market, such as hindrances to career (5)______ due to childcare responsibilities. However, there are concerns about (6)______ in the algorithms used by these platforms and the ability to assess soft skills and (7)______ between potential job-sharing partners. Despite these concerns, job sharing is seen as a (8)______ arrangement for both employees and (9)______, challenging fixed expectations and broadening perceptions of what is possible in the workplace.
Go to answers ⇩
Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is a job-sharing app and how does it work?
2. Have you ever used a job-sharing app or considered using one? Why or why not?
3. How would you feel if you had to share a job with someone you didn’t know before?
4. Do you think job-sharing is a good solution for women who have childcare responsibilities? Why or why not?
5. What are some potential benefits and drawbacks of job sharing for both employees and employers?
6. How do you think job-sharing apps can help to challenge fixed expectations in the workplace?
7. Do you believe algorithms can accurately assess soft skills and chemistry between potential job-sharing partners? Why or why not?
8. Have you ever faced biases in the workplace? If so, how did you handle it?
9. How do you think job-sharing can contribute to women’s career progression?
10. What are some other ways companies can create more opportunities for women in the job market?
11. Do you think job-sharing apps could be useful for other groups of people, such as individuals with disabilities or seniors? Why or why not?
12. How important do you think it is for employees to have a good relationship with their job-sharing partner? Why?
13. Have you ever had a job-sharing experience? If so, what was it like?
14. What are some potential challenges that could arise when job-sharing?
15. How do you think job-sharing can help to broaden perceptions of what is possible in the workplace?
Individual Activities
Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. job-sharing
2. apps
3. experience
4. online
5. dating
6. platforms
7. algorithms
8. opportunities
Meanings:
(a) Online systems or websites that facilitate certain activities or interactions
(b) Chances or possibilities for advancement or success
(c) The act of sharing a job with another person
(d) Mathematical procedures or formulas used to solve problems or make decisions
(e) Software applications designed for specific purposes
(f) The process of meeting potential romantic partners online
(g) Connected to or available on the internet
(h) The knowledge or skill acquired through doing something
Go to answers ⇩
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What are job-sharing apps compared to in the article?
(a) Social media
(b) Online dating
(c) Job boards
(d) Networking events
2. What do job-sharing apps use to match users?
(a) Random selection
(b) User preferences
(c) Job titles
(d) Algorithms
3. Why are job-sharing apps seen as a critical solution for women?
(a) They provide childcare services
(b) They offer career coaching
(c) They create more opportunities for part-time work
(d) They eliminate biases in the job market
4. What is a concern about the algorithms used by job-sharing apps?
(a) Lack of user preferences
(b) Inability to assess hard skills
(c) Limited number of potential partners
(d) Biases
5. What is the goal of job sharing?
(a) To eliminate part-time work
(b) To increase career progression
(c) To create more opportunities for women
(d) To limit the pool of candidates
6. Who has its own in-house “matchmaking tool” for job sharing?
(a) WeJobShare
(b) Ford
(c) Job Share Connect
(d) Colleagues and friends
7. What is a potential hindrance to career progression for women?
(a) Childcare responsibilities
(b) Lack of job-sharing partners
(c) Biased algorithms
(d) In-house matchmaking tools
8. What do job-sharing arrangements challenge in the workplace?
(a) Fixed expectations
(b) Soft skills
(c) Career goals
(d) Perceptions of part-time work
Go to answers ⇩
True or False Questions:
1. Ford does not have its own in-house “matchmaking tool” for employees interested in job sharing.
2. Despite concerns about biases in the algorithms and assessing soft skills and chemistry, job sharing is seen as beneficial for both employees and employers.
3. Job-sharing platforms do not use algorithms to match users based on their skills, preferences, and career goals.
4. WeJobShare and Job Share Connect are examples of job-sharing platforms.
5. Job sharing is not seen as a critical solution to challenges women face in the job market, such as hindrances to career progression due to childcare responsibilities.
6. Job-sharing apps are becoming increasingly popular.
7. These platforms do not allow users to find potential job-sharing partners outside of their friends and colleagues.
8. Some people compare the experience of using job-sharing apps to online dating.
Go to answers ⇩
Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
1. How do job-sharing apps expand the pool of potential job-sharing partners?
2. Why is job sharing seen as a critical solution to challenges women face in the job market?
3. What concerns are there about the algorithms used by job-sharing platforms?
4. How does job sharing challenge fixed expectations in the workplace?
5. What are the potential benefits of job sharing for both employees and employers?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. How are job-sharing apps compared to online dating?
Some people compare the experience of using job-sharing apps to online dating.
2. What is the purpose of job-sharing platforms like WeJobShare and Job Share Connect?
The purpose of these platforms is to allow users to find potential job-sharing partners, expanding the pool of candidates beyond friends and colleagues.
3. Why is job sharing seen as a critical solution for the challenges women face in the job market?
Job sharing is seen as a critical solution because it provides more opportunities for women, who are more likely to work part-time due to factors like childcare responsibilities. It helps address hindrances to career progression that women face.
4. What are some concerns about the algorithms used by job-sharing platforms?
There are concerns about biases in the algorithms used by job-sharing platforms and the ability to assess soft skills and chemistry between potential job-sharing partners.
5. How do job-sharing apps match users?
Job-sharing apps match users based on their skills, preferences, and career goals using algorithms.
6. What is the goal of job-sharing apps like Ford’s “matchmaking tool”?
The goal of job-sharing apps like Ford’s “matchmaking tool” is to create more opportunities for job sharing and help employees find suitable job-sharing partners.
7. How do job-sharing apps expand the pool of candidates for potential job-sharing partners?
Job-sharing apps expand the pool of candidates by allowing users to connect with potential job-sharing partners beyond their immediate network of friends and colleagues.
8. How does job sharing challenge fixed expectations and broaden perceptions in the workplace?
Job sharing challenges fixed expectations by showing that it is possible to share a job and still be successful. It broadens perceptions by demonstrating that there are alternative ways to work and progress in one’s career.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) create
(2) opportunities
(3) women
(4) sharing
(5) progression
(6) biases
(7) chemistry
(8) beneficial
(9) employers
Go back to questions ⇧
Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. job-sharing
Answer: (c) The act of sharing a job with another person
2. apps
Answer: (e) Software applications designed for specific purposes
3. experience
Answer: (h) The knowledge or skill acquired through doing something
4. online
Answer: (g) Connected to or available on the internet
5. dating
Answer: (f) The process of meeting potential romantic partners online
6. platforms
Answer: (a) Online systems or websites that facilitate certain activities or interactions
7. algorithms
Answer: (d) Mathematical procedures or formulas used to solve problems or make decisions
8. opportunities
Answer: (b) Chances or possibilities for advancement or success
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What are job-sharing apps compared to in the article?
Answer: (b) Online dating
2. What do job-sharing apps use to match users?
Answer: (d) Algorithms
3. Why are job-sharing apps seen as a critical solution for women?
Answer: (c) They create more opportunities for part-time work
4. What is a concern about the algorithms used by job-sharing apps?
Answer: (d) Biases
5. What is the goal of job sharing?
Answer: (c) To create more opportunities for women
6. Who has its own in-house “matchmaking tool” for job sharing?
Answer: (b) Ford
7. What is a potential hindrance to career progression for women?
Answer: (a) Childcare responsibilities
8. What do job-sharing arrangements challenge in the workplace?
Answer: (a) Fixed expectations
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. Ford does not have its own in-house “matchmaking tool” for employees interested in job sharing. (Answer: False)
2. Despite concerns about biases in the algorithms and assessing soft skills and chemistry, job sharing is seen as beneficial for both employees and employers. (Answer: True)
3. Job-sharing platforms do not use algorithms to match users based on their skills, preferences, and career goals. (Answer: False)
4. WeJobShare and Job Share Connect are examples of job-sharing platforms. (Answer: True)
5. Job sharing is not seen as a critical solution to challenges women face in the job market, such as hindrances to career progression due to childcare responsibilities. (Answer: False)
6. Job-sharing apps are becoming increasingly popular. (Answer: True)
7. These platforms do not allow users to find potential job-sharing partners outside of their friends and colleagues. (Answer: False)
8. Some people compare the experience of using job-sharing apps to online dating. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧
