May 27, 2020
Maggy Pigott CBE
Maggy was a pioneer of flexible working, joining the Government Legal Service, and working part-time from the early 1980s. In 1988 she was one of the first in Government, (and other sectors), to job-share and continued for 23 years, in seven jobs, including non-legal, policy, operational, and judicial appointments roles. With the same partner, Judith Killick, throughout, their last post was Joint CEO of the training organisation for the judiciary. On retiring they were thrilled to receive a CBE for their contribution to the administration of justice and for promoting, helping others, and role modelling job-sharing in the Civil Service.
Maggy continues to be a staunch advocate of the benefits of flexible working and job-sharing, including on social media and radio (for example, on BBC Woman’s Hour). She also highly recommends this way of working in her 2019 book ‘How to Age Joyfully: Eight Steps to a Happier, Fuller Life’ which has been endorsed by health and ageing experts – and the foreword by Dame Judi Dench!
Twitter:
Age Joyfully @AgeingBetter; Maggy Pigott @MaggyPigott
Maggy’s book: “How to Age Joyfully” - Amazon.ca
https://amz.run/3F5l
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggy-pigott-cbe-frsa-86684031/
Fascinating tidbits from the conversation with Maggy:
- 9:53: Very insightful definition of the “success of the job share”: People would call us the wrong names – they could not distinguish between us (even though we look very different)
- 14:14: Job sharing does not work for everyone. Key things to
make it work:
- One has to be prepared to trust the other person
- Never unpick the other half – always move forward
- Good communication
- Partnership: Similar values & attitude to work
- Commitment
- Support by the organizational culture
- No big ego: You share the glory and the mistakes
- 21:26: Job sharing is a very advanced form of teamwork.
- 32:50: Best evidence of the success of a job share: It happened twice when we left one of our 7 jobs, we were replaced by two full-timers.