What does secondment mean?
Secondment refers to the temporary assignment of an employee to another role or organization, often for training, to provide expertise, or to fill a specific need. This arrangement allows employees to gain new skills and experiences while remaining employed by their original organization. Secondments can be beneficial for both employees and organizations, as they facilitate knowledge sharing, skill development, and collaboration across different departments or industries. The concept is widely used in business, HR, and professional settings, and is often seen as a valuable tool for career development and organizational growth.
nounA temporary assignment of an employee to another role or organization, often for training or to provide expertise. The employee remains employed by the original organization.
- A temporary assignment of an employee to another role or organization.
- The act of assigning an employee to a temporary role or position.
"The company offered her a secondment to their overseas office for a year."
"The secondment allowed her to gain new skills and experience."
"The company benefits from secondments by sharing knowledge and expertise across departments."
countable
"The company has offered several secondments to employees this year."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of secondment
The term 'secondment' originated from the French word 'seconde', meaning 'second', and the suffix '-ment', indicating a state or process. It has been used in English since the 17th century to describe a temporary assignment or transfer of an employee.
How secondment is actually used
Formal and commonly used in business, HR, and professional contexts.