What Does Secondment Mean in a Job? A Clear Guide to Temporary Work AssignmentsIn today’s dynamic job market, you may hear the term secondment used in discussions about career development or internal company movements. But what does secondment mean in a job context? Simply put, secondment is a temporary assignment where an employee moves to a different department, role, or even organization for a set period of time, while still being employed by their original employer.
This arrangement benefits both the employer and the employee by offering exposure to new experiences, skills, and networks.
What Is Secondment?
Secondment refers to the process where an employee is temporarily assigned to work in a different role, team, or organization. It can happen within the same company (internal secondment) or with a different company or partner organization (external secondment).
During a secondment
-
The employee usually keeps their original employment contract.
-
The duration of the assignment is agreed upon beforehand.
-
The seconded employee might work in a different location or under different supervision.
Key Features of Secondment
To understand secondment more clearly, here are some common elements
-
Temporary Secondments are not permanent moves. They usually last from a few weeks to several months, and sometimes up to two years.
-
Development-Focused Often used to help employees grow their skills or explore new areas.
-
Contractual Agreement There’s usually an agreement in place that outlines duties, responsibilities, and the length of the secondment.
Types of Secondment
1. Internal Secondment
This involves a move to a different department or role within the same company. For example, a marketing employee may be seconded to the HR team to work on a culture-building project.
2. External Secondment
This involves working temporarily for another organization. It could be a client, partner company, non-profit, or even a government department.
External secondments are often used in sectors like law, consulting, and public services.
Benefits of Secondment for Employees
Secondments offer numerous advantages for employees who want to expand their knowledge and improve their career prospects.
Career Development
Employees can gain hands-on experience in a new area, boosting their resume and skill set.
Networking Opportunities
Working in a different team or company allows employees to build new professional relationships.
Increased Visibility
A secondment can help an employee stand out to leadership, increasing their chances for future promotions or long-term opportunities.
Job Variety
It provides a fresh challenge and helps break the routine, which can improve job satisfaction and motivation.
Benefits of Secondment for Employers
Employers also benefit from secondments in several ways
-
Skills Transfer Employees bring back new knowledge and practices.
-
Flexible Staffing Secondments can temporarily fill a skills gap without hiring new staff.
-
Employee Retention Offering secondment opportunities can keep top talent engaged and loyal.
-
Stronger Partnerships External secondments can strengthen relationships with partner organizations.
Challenges and Considerations
While secondments can be rewarding, they also come with potential challenges that should be addressed early on.
Role Clarity
Clear communication is important so that both the seconded employee and the host team understand responsibilities.
Workplace Integration
Adjusting to a new team or work environment can take time, especially in an external secondment.
Returning to the Original Role
Sometimes, reintegrating the employee back into their original position can be difficult, especially if the role has changed or been filled.
Legal and HR Considerations
Before a secondment begins, there’s usually a formal agreement that outlines
-
Length of the assignment
-
Reporting lines
-
Duties and responsibilities
-
Salary and benefits
-
How performance will be evaluated
In an external secondment, the agreement may also cover who is responsible for employment liabilities, health and safety, and insurance coverage.
Examples of Secondment in Action
Corporate Secondment
A finance specialist is seconded to a sustainability team for six months to help develop environmental reporting processes. The experience broadens their understanding of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) issues, which benefits their long-term career goals.
Public Sector Secondment
An HR officer from a government agency is seconded to a non-profit organization to help develop recruitment policies. This helps the non-profit while also offering the HR officer experience in a different setting.
International Secondment
An engineer is seconded to an overseas branch of their company for one year to assist with a new project. This provides exposure to international work practices and different cultural environments.
How to Apply for a Secondment
If you’re interested in a secondment opportunity, here are some steps you can take
-
Talk to Your Manager Express your interest and explore potential opportunities within or outside your department.
-
Check Internal Job Boards Some organizations post secondment roles as they become available.
-
Update Your Resume Highlight your transferable skills and readiness for new challenges.
-
Be Flexible You may need to adapt quickly to new teams, locations, or responsibilities.
Returning From Secondment
After the secondment period ends, employees typically return to their original role. However, some may transition into a new permanent role based on their experience.
It’s important to have a re-entry plan
-
Discuss with your manager how your role may have changed.
-
Reflect on skills gained during the secondment.
-
Use your new knowledge to add value to your original team.
Secondment is more than just a temporary move it’s an opportunity for growth, development, and strategic collaboration. Whether internal or external, it allows both individuals and organizations to benefit from shared knowledge, expanded skills, and deeper partnerships.
If approached with the right planning and support, secondments can be a powerful tool for career advancement and organizational success.
Keywords what does secondment mean in a job, secondment meaning, job secondment examples, internal secondment, external secondment, benefits of secondment, temporary work assignment, secondment HR definition, secondment opportunity, secondment contract.