Understanding the Word: Secondment
In the professional world, you might occasionally hear a colleague say they are off on a secondment. While the term might sound slightly formal or even mysterious to those who haven't encountered it before, it describes a common and beneficial practice in many industries. At its core, a secondment refers to a temporary shift in environment, allowing an individual to gain new experiences while remaining connected to their original employer.
Definitions and Meanings
The word secondment carries two distinct meanings, though one is significantly more common than the other in modern English.
1. Professional Temporary Assignment
The most frequent use of secondment relates to the workplace. It is the temporary transfer of an employee to a different department, office, or organization. During this time, the person is seconded—the verb form of the noun—to a new role before returning to their home base. It is a win-win situation: the host organization gets specialized talent, and the employee gains fresh skills and perspectives.
2. Parliamentary and Formal Procedures
In a formal or political context, a secondment (or more commonly, seconding) refers to the act of formally supporting a motion or proposal. In a committee or council meeting, for a motion to move forward, it often requires a proposer and someone to "second" it. While you will hear the verb "to second" often in this context, the noun form is less common in everyday conversation.
Usage and Grammar Patterns
When discussing a professional secondment, there are specific phrases and grammatical patterns that native speakers use frequently:
- To be on secondment: "Sarah is currently on secondment in the London office."
- To go on a secondment: "He decided to go on a secondment to the government sector to learn about policy making."
- To complete a secondment: "After she completed her secondment, she brought many innovative ideas back to our team."
- A secondment opportunity: "The company just announced a new international secondment opportunity for junior managers."
Notice that we use the preposition "on" when someone is currently away. We also treat it as a countable noun, so you can have a secondment or multiple secondments throughout your career.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse secondment with other types of job changes. Here are a few things to keep in mind to avoid errors:
- Permanent vs. Temporary: Do not confuse a secondment with a promotion or a transfer. A secondment is strictly temporary. You are expected to return to your original post.
- Spelling: Some learners accidentally write "secondment" as two words or with a different suffix. Remember that it comes from the verb "to second," meaning to support or shift; the suffix "-ment" turns it into the noun.
- Contextual confusion: In social settings, don't say you are on a "secondment" if you are simply visiting another office for a meeting. A secondment implies a significant period of time—usually months or even a year—dedicated to a specific project or role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a secondment the same as a sabbatical?
No. A sabbatical is usually a period of leave where an employee takes time off from work to rest, study, or travel. A secondment involves working in a different capacity, meaning you are still actively employed and performing duties, just in a different setting.
Do I get paid during a secondment?
Yes. Usually, your original employer continues to pay your salary, though sometimes the "host" organization may reimburse them. Your contract remains tied to your original company.
Can anyone ask for a secondment?
Most companies have specific policies regarding secondments. Usually, you need to have been with the company for a certain amount of time, and you must have approval from both your current manager and the manager of the host department.
Why would a company offer a secondment?
Companies use secondments to develop their staff, fill skills gaps in other departments, or build stronger relationships with partner organizations or clients.
Conclusion
Whether you encounter the word in a corporate manual or during a formal meeting, secondment is a useful term to have in your vocabulary. It represents growth, temporary change, and the ability to adapt to new professional challenges. By understanding its specific usage in the workplace, you can better navigate discussions about career development and organizational structure.