How does secondment work?
Secondment is a temporary arrangement where an employee is transferred to another company, organisation, or department for a specified period of time, while still remaining employed by their current employer.
In a secondment, the employee’s salary and benefits typically remain the same, while the host company or organisation is responsible for providing the employee with a specific work assignment and any additional training or support required.
The secondment process generally involves three parties: the employee’s current employer, the host company or organisation, and the employee.
Here’s how it typically works:
1. The employee’s current employer and the host company or organisation negotiate the secondment agreement, which outlines the terms of the arrangement, including the duration, job responsibilities, salary and benefits, and any other relevant details.
2. The employee is informed of the secondment opportunity and is given the option to accept or decline the offer.
3. If the employee accepts the offer, they will be temporarily transferred to the host company or organisation for the specified period of time and will work under the direction of the host company or organization.
4. During the secondment period, the employee typically remains on the payroll of their current employer, and their salary and benefits are paid by their current employer. The host company or organisation may provide the employee with additional training or support as needed to help them succeed in their temporary role.
5. At the end of the secondment period, the employee returns to their original position at their current employer, unless another arrangement has been made.
Overall, secondment can be a valuable opportunity for employees to gain new skills and experiences, while still remaining employed by their current employer. It can also provide a way for companies and organisations to share resources and expertise, and to build relationships with other organisations in their industry.
Difference between international assignment and secondment
An international assignment involves an employee being sent by their employer to work in a different country for a specified period of time, typically for a few years. The employee’s employment contract is transferred to the host country, and they are subject to the host country’s labour laws and regulations.
A secondment, on the other hand, is typically a temporary transfer of an employee from one company to another within the same group or to a client company. The employee’s employment contract remains with their original employer, and they continue to be subject to the home country’s labour laws and regulations.
Both international assignments and secondments involve employees working in different countries, but the key difference is in the legal relationships involved. International assignments involve a transfer of employment contracts to the host country, while secondments involve a temporary transfer of the employee without affecting their employment contract.
