A sliver of time can earn you money
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
12/02/2008
Council engages in Slivers of Time initiative
First there was the nine-to-fiver, then the part-timer, but now the council is at the forefront of the newest workplace revolution – the Slivers-of-Time employee.
Hammersmith & Fulham residents who have a few spare hours can now market their free hours through the website http://www.slivers.com/. Hammersmith & Fulham Council is launching the bold new initiative to increase opportunities for local people and employers. And the council has already got on the bandwagon, by hiring qualified and vetted individuals who are booked for 60 or 90 minute shifts to take children in care to and from school, or medical appointments.
Council Leader, Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh, says, “There are always employers who want extra staff to work odd hours or cover peak times or absences. And there are always residents with a few hours to spare in need of an extra income. Now we are matching these two groups.”
Research has proved that many residents struggle to get jobs because of commitments like childcare, studying or health issues. But these residents also have thousands of free hours a year. The ability to sell slivers of your time allows residents to enter the workforce on their own terms at times of their choosing. Residents can list the hours they wish to work, which are then bought by employers.
Samira Obsiye, 20, from Hammersmith is a Slivers-of-Time worker. She says, “I have been booked for the NHS through Slivers-of-Time to do health promotion to people in the street. I have also worked for a cinema, which I loved. I had to check tickets and people's ID. Right now, I am still building my experience. I hope I can also work in shops and offices through Slivers.”
Local employers enjoy the system because they are able to engage extra workers for short-notice requirements rather than relying on overtime or muddling thorough understaffed. They also gain access to a pool of individuals who have chosen to work in a way that expects flexibility and rewards reliability.
Cllr Greenhalgh added, “We are the borough of opportunity and anything that helps people to fulfil their ambitions must be supported. If you think of eBay as the market place for spare items, then the Slivers-of-Time website is the market place for spare hours.”
All participants in this market for spare hours are vetted by recruitment agency, Community Resourcing. If you are interested in registering as a Slivers-of-Time worker or employer visit http://www.slivers.com/.
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