Job rotation at Cardiff University Library Service: A pilot study

Abstract

This paper presents case study research of a job rotation pilot involving six library assistants in Cardiff University Library Service (ULS). Firstly, it investigates whether job rotation improves motivation and secondly, whether there is an improvement in skills, both technical and ‘soft’. Following a review of the literature, semi-structured interviews took place with each of the ‘rotatees’, both immediately before and after the rotations. They completed daily reflective logs during their rotations which were also analysed. The findings indicate that the rotations resulted in wide-ranging positive outcomes including an increase in both motivation and technical skills. Other positive outcomes included increased confidence, a sense of ‘the bigger picture’ and ‘social capital’. The paper concludes that job rotation can be a positive and powerful tool for staff development.