Glossary: HR & Recruiting Definitions
Secondment
A secondment is a temporary work arrangement in which an employee is assigned to a different role, department, business unit, client organization, or geographical location while remaining employed by their original employer.
Secondments are commonly used for professional development, knowledge sharing, succession planning, project delivery, and organizational collaboration. Once the secondment period ends, employees usually return to their original role or transition into a new permanent position.
Secondments may last from a few weeks to several months or even longer, depending on the objectives of the assignment.
Organizations increasingly use secondments to build employee skills, improve cross-functional collaboration, and prepare future leaders.
Why Secondments Matter
Secondments benefit both employees and employers. Employees gain opportunities to:
• Develop new skills
• Expand professional networks
• Experience different business functions
• Improve leadership capabilities
• Explore career interests
Organizations benefit through:
• Knowledge transfer
• Internal mobility
• Leadership development
• Better collaboration
• Increased workforce flexibility
Secondments also reduce reliance on external hiring by helping organizations develop talent internally.
Types of Secondments
Several forms of secondment are commonly used.
Internal Secondment
Employees temporarily join another department or business unit within the same organization.
External Secondment
Employees work with another organization, partner, client, or government agency while remaining employed by their original employer.
International Secondment
Employees temporarily relocate to another country or regional office to support business expansion or knowledge sharing.
Project-Based Secondment
Employees contribute to a major initiative before returning to their original role.
Benefits for Employees
Secondments help professionals:
• Build new technical skills
• Gain leadership experience
• Improve adaptability
• Increase visibility within the organization
• Strengthen professional relationships
• Accelerate career development
Employees often return with broader business knowledge and increased confidence.
Benefits for Employers
Organizations use secondments to:
• Improve succession planning
• Strengthen collaboration
• Share expertise across teams
• Fill temporary skill gaps
• Develop future leaders
• Increase employee engagement
Secondments can also improve retention by providing meaningful career development opportunities.
Secondment vs Job Rotation
Although similar, these concepts differ.
Secondment | Job Rotation |
Temporary assignment to another role or organization | Planned movement across internal roles |
Often project or development focused | Primarily skills development |
May involve external organizations | Usually internal |
Employee retains original employment | Employee remains within planned rotation program |
Both approaches support learning but serve different organizational objectives.
Managing Successful Secondments
Effective secondment programs require careful planning.
Organizations should:
• Define clear objectives.
• Establish assignment timelines.
• Clarify responsibilities.
• Provide onboarding.
• Maintain regular communication.
• Plan reintegration after completion.
Clear expectations help employees maximize the value of the experience.
Technology and Internal Mobility
Modern HR technology supports secondments through:
• Internal talent marketplaces
• Skills databases
• Workforce planning platforms
• Learning management systems
• Performance tracking
AI-powered talent platforms increasingly recommend secondment opportunities based on employee skills, interests, and career aspirations.
The Future of Secondments
As organizations embrace skills-based workforce planning, secondments are becoming more common.
Emerging trends include:
• Cross-functional projects
• International virtual assignments
• Internal gig marketplaces
• AI-assisted talent matching
• Flexible career pathways
Rather than following linear career paths, employees are increasingly building diverse experiences through temporary assignments and internal mobility.
FAQs
What is a secondment?
A secondment is a temporary assignment in which an employee works in another role or organization while remaining employed by their original employer.
Why do organizations use secondments?
They support employee development, knowledge sharing, succession planning, and workforce flexibility.
How long does a secondment last?
Secondments can range from several weeks to over a year, depending on business needs and program objectives.
Is a secondment permanent?
No. Most secondments are temporary, and employees usually return to their original role or transition into another agreed position after the assignment ends.
