What is a Secondment? A Complete Guide to Temporary Work Assignments

A secondment is a temporary assignment to a new role, either inside or outside your company, offering significant professional development and career advancement opportunities without the need to change employers. This arrangement allows you to gain new skills, prevent burnout, and explore different career paths while your original employer typically retains your employment and salary. Based on common HR practices, secondments are a strategic tool for both employee growth and organizational talent development.

What is a Secondment in the Workplace?

A secondment is a formal agreement where an employee is temporarily assigned to a different position. This could be within the same organization (an internal secondment) or with an external partner, such as a supplier or client company (an external secondment). The employee, known as the secondee, continues their employment with their original company for the duration of the assignment. Secondments are designed for skill development, knowledge transfer, and providing fresh challenges, making them a valuable component of career development programs.

How Does a Secondment Work?

The process typically begins with a formal agreement outlining all terms and conditions. This contract is crucial for clarifying roles and protecting all parties involved. Key elements detailed in a secondment contract often include:

• Employment Details: Your original employer usually remains your legal employer, ensuring a seamless return to your position afterward.
• Salary and Compensation: Your salary is generally maintained by your original employer. For roles with increased responsibility or for international assignments, compensation may be adjusted, and allowances for relocation or accommodation are common.
• Duties and Responsibilities: The contract specifies your new role's tasks while often acknowledging any ongoing obligations to your original employer.
• Confidentiality Agreements: To prevent conflict-of-interest issues, you will likely sign a confidentiality agreement governing sensitive information from both companies.

Based on our assessment experience, a well-defined contract is the foundation of a successful secondment, preventing misunderstandings and setting clear expectations.

What Are the Key Benefits of Accepting a Secondment?

Accepting a secondment can strategically advance your career. The primary advantages include:

• Gaining In-Demand Experience: You immerse yourself in a new environment, gaining hands-on experience with different processes, technologies, or markets that are not accessible in your usual role.
• Advancing Career Opportunities: A secondment expands your professional network and exposes you to new career paths. Demonstrating adaptability and newly acquired skills can make you a prime candidate for future promotions.
• Preventing Burnout: A change of pace and scenery can reinvigorate your enthusiasm for work, combating feelings of stagnation and increasing job satisfaction.
• Improving Soft Skills: Working in a new team dynamic is an excellent way to enhance soft skills like communication, collaboration, and cross-cultural competence.

Internal vs. External Secondment: What's the Difference?

The two main types of secondments serve different purposes:

For example, an internal secondment might involve a marketing specialist from the London office supporting a product launch in the New York branch. An external secondment could see an engineer from a car manufacturer working at a software firm to better understand the integration of autonomous driving systems.

What Should You Consider Before a Secondment?

Before agreeing to a secondment, it's important to evaluate the opportunity objectively. Key considerations include:

• The clarity of the contract regarding duration, responsibilities, and reporting lines.
• The potential impact on your long-term career goals within your original company.
• Personal logistics, especially for international assignments, such as the effect on family or housing.

To maximize the benefits, approach the secondment with clear learning objectives and maintain open communication with both your original and temporary managers.

In summary, a secondment is a low-risk, high-reward opportunity for professional growth. The key takeaways are to secure a detailed contract, proactively seek learning experiences, and leverage the assignment to build a more diverse and resilient skill set for long-term career success.