What really are secondments? I mean, how do you go about it?

Well, a secondment, as most of us already know, is the temporary transfer of a member or staff of one company or organisation to another organisation for a particular period of time and for a particular purpose, mainly for career development.

Secondments need to be designed so as to enable 'secondees' to develop or enhance their skills as well as their understanding of specific areas of work which are relevant to their current or future roles in their organisations.

Regarding your question on how to go about it, it really depends on the secondment agreement. If you are considering a secondment or if you already have a secondment deal in place, just be sure the deal clearly outlines the employment relationship between the primary employer and the secondment employer, and that it covers other relevant employment issues.

Is a secondment between a private and a public sector possible?

Of course. Secondments between these two sectors are possible. In fact, public-private secondments are now being used as mechanism to share management techniques and to share/spread best practice.

Basically, a secondment set up entails you being transferred within the company to another department. You could be doing the same job or an altogether different role. Or you could be loaned to another company. It typically lasts anywhere from 3 months to two years.

I really don't see the benefit in this. I mean in the competitive business world, I think that secondment is a bad idea. Plus, with all the layoffs going on it must leave your department really crippled without you.

Our company put some staff on secondment to another company... it was for them to learn the working environments and gain experience working in another industry. What we got really was new insights. These seconded staff had a lot of great ideas coming back. It doesn't have to be in a competing company (although that too is possible). You could still learn a lot from a different industry.

I think that this is a great way to learn a new skill or try out a new career opportunity while still being employed in your current job, agree?

That's right. One of the things our company had before the layoffs last year was a secondment program. They had employees loaned to other companies with the express desire to have them try their luck there while also paying for their salaries. So when layoff time came, it was easier for those who were going to be affected to opt for voluntary
separation. A lot of my colleagues took up the work they had while under secondment!