Job crafting case studies
Job crafting provides a framework for people to make changes to their work to make it more manageable, engaging and enjoyable – in collaboration with their coworkers and line managers as appropriate.
The following examples show how people have introduced changes to their work through job crafting to improve their experience of work along with the difference it’s made, to both themselves and their organisations.
Stuart’s story
Job role: policy advisor
Job crafting change
“I have worked with senior colleagues to craft my job to better fit my skills and my needs. A key challenge I experienced was staying engaged and motivated in medium to longer term projects. One way I deal with this now is by having more regular supportive discussions with my line manager about how I’m feeling about my involvement in these projects. We discuss and plan my contributions to projects in advance. This helps me with predicting my tasks. It also means I receive regular feedback about my progress which stops me from “getting lost” in a project.
My job crafting is ongoing and is supported by regular 1 to 1s with managers to ensure that tasks remain a good fit and to provide me with regular feedback on progress.”
What was the impact?
“The impact of job crafting on myself is that I undertake a range of work tasks that I enjoy and allow me to demonstrate expertise through my work. My sickness absence rates have dropped because I feel less stressed at work.
The impact on the organisation is that my work colleagues have retained the benefit of support from someone with more than a decade of experience in the policy area.”
Max’s story
Job role: project manager
Job crafting change
“I have job crafted in response to some of the challenges I face with my job. I get overwhelmed from too much time staring at screen. Minor things can create anxiety and exhaustion, and I get bored and fidgety and lose focus.
In response, I have tried my best to structure my days in a way that means I am not doing the same kind of tasks all day. I try and make sure that I have at least one task a day that involves going out of the house. I make sure I don’t schedule Teams meetings one after another to ensure I don’t get overwhelmed from too much time staring at a screen. I schedule meetings in person where possible. I take regular breaks when I can’t put the above into place. My manager is supportive and has been open to making amendments.”
What was the impact?
“I feel less stressed at work knowing that, at least, some people in the team know the things I struggle with and, when possible, they try and avoid me having to do them. I think they feel this works out for the best in the long run.”
Lisa’s story
Job role: police officer
Job crafting change
“I started making changes to my job after having children. Continuing in a frontline role became increasingly difficult. The existing structures did not offer the flexibility required for part-time officers with caring responsibilities. I collaborated with several other officers who were also parents of young children (including three men, two of whom were in senior roles) to design and establish a new unit.
I sought to reduce demands by moving away from frontline shift work that was incompatible with my family responsibilities. At the same time, I sought new resources and challenges by proactively shaping a role that met organisational needs while allowing part-time officers to contribute meaningfully.
What was the impact?
“The experience had a significant impact on me both professionally and personally. On a personal level, it enabled me to remain in a career I valued while meeting my responsibilities as a parent. Being able to shape a role that aligned with my skills and circumstances increased my sense of autonomy, competence, and commitment to the organisation.
For the team, the creation of the unit provided a sustainable and meaningful way for part-time officers to contribute without being marginalised or underutilised. It fostered a sense of cohesion and shared purpose, as we were collectively demonstrating that flexible working could coexist with high stakes policing.”