Have you done a secondment at work?
Posted by Cumulus-Crafts@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 24 comments
I've worked in the ecommerce department of my workplace for four years. I take customer orders, assist them with email/phone/live chat queries, deal with courier issues while our customer orders are in transit to them.
Today, my manager has told me I'll be going on secondment to the logistics department for two months, as two of the logistics staff have quit. I'll be liaising with couriers ect, but on a larger scale than the retail sector.
I'm a little apprehensive to move, because I quite like the place I've carved out for myself in ecom. I'm going from 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, to 8am-5pm Mon-Thurs and 8am-12pm on Fri.
Has anyone else done a secondment? How did it affect you? Did you like it? Was it good for your name within the company?
PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit
No I haven't.
Dangerous-Boot-3036@reddit
Taking a few secondments let me gain a lot of experience across the first company I worked at in a relatively short space of time.
That let me move up the ladder quickly broadened my horizons on the type of job I could do and gave me confidence when moving jobs later.
The folk who refused the opportunities when they came up citing a lack of increase in pay to account for it and things like that also didn't understand why I ended up getting promotions despite them being there longer.
Being flexible makes you a valued employee and it will pay dividends if you make the most of the opportunity.
Benreh@reddit
I did a secondment to the tech support team from customer service, I now manage that team.
IllustriousWedding94@reddit
More people should make your move. I'm similar - ex-business moved into tech. The lack of real non-tech experience in tech has always been an issue.
Exchangenudes_4_Joke@reddit
Secondments are great if your actively seek them out, they give you insight into how different areas of the business is run plus contacts for the future.
I've had a couple of promotions on the back of secondments I asked for, because I did a decent job whilst I was there and showed interest in what they did, that when a senior role came up on that team I was recommended for the role (and subsequently got it).
I always tell people to seek out secondments in areas of the business you find interesting as you never know what opportunities it can open up in the future
CharlemagneKidding@reddit
You sound dangerously comfortable in your current role. I think this secondment will do you good.
I have been seconded to a different company, my partner has been seconded to a different country. These were all great experiences both personally and professionally.
ofcoursebutmaybeeeee@reddit
I’ve done a few… I’d always say yes as it’s an opportunity to try something else on the same career path… the last one I did was from a call centre admin role to a Business Analyst …took me on a totally different career path (and salary!!) - if you want to stay in that business just say yea and do a good job… you’ll earn a reputation for getting on with it and next time something comes up the boss might say “just give it to Cumulus - they will get it done” etc
Known-Highway-8465@reddit
You don’t have to do it. Even if your contract has a flexibility clause, the changes have to be reasonable and you could argue that the change of hours is disruptive - for example if the earlier start has an impact on childcare.
However, if you can do it, I would recommend it. It’s always good to get around in a company and make a name for yourself (unless you’re a horrible person, in which case keep your head down).
YouSayWotNow@reddit
It's unusual to put people into secondments without asking them, but sometimes I guess needs of the business make it necessary. In most places I've worked, they've usually asked for expressions of interest to see who might actively want to take that opportunity, rather than just shoving someone into it.
That said, if they have been clear that it's only for a fixed period and that your original role is being held for you, then consider it a good chance to learn new skills and build new relationships with more colleagues.
But if you prefer your current role, do make sure you have it confirmed in writing that your original role is being held for you and that the secondment is for a fixed agreed duration only.
TheRiddlerTHFC@reddit
I've been on secondment twice.
Get some guarantees its a fixed temr and your current job remains
djw2011@reddit
This is sound advise OP. Get them to put it in writing with a defined end date pre-agreed which you can hold them to.
SwansEscapedRonson@reddit
I did a one year secondment, but it was one I actively applied for. Maternity cover was needed and I wanted experience in that department to help inform my current role, so I asked my manager for permission. They filled my role fixed term in my absence, and I came back with a lot of knowledge.
I’d also been interested in working in the other department and my secondment gave me enough time and insight to see the people there weren’t actually very happy, so it was great to be able to dip my toe in and discover that before making any permanent changes!
Cymraesoddicartre@reddit
Yes- am on one now for 2 months! I see it as a chance to learn some new platforms and processes, see how another team works, make connections and have some variety. I like my “real” job but we were entering a season which I don’t massively enjoy so this was a good opportunity. I know it is temporary though whilst they are short staffed.
sunflower_greatsword@reddit
I’ve done a secondment to gain skills I wanted to learn to move into an area I wanted to pursue, so there’s value if you’re the one making it happen. I’ve been a manager handed seconded resource who were shit, so there’s that too.
Focus on the bright side though, that early Friday finish mate!
DPH996@reddit
I did a secondment when my manager was on maternity leave. They preferred me. She was “encouraged” to take a different role when she returned.
Icy-Lawfulness-4111@reddit
And they wonder why women aren’t having more kids…
Timely_Egg_6827@reddit
I know someone senior managed out much the same way.
Timely_Egg_6827@reddit
Yes but what you are describing isn't really a secondment as I understand it. A secondment is when you work with a team to improve your skills and getting a better understanding of other teams. You are getting redeployed to fill a gap.
I have done secondments but it was 2 days a week so my permanent role remained and I went back to it after 6 months. I'd be worried your role move will become permanent.
CoffeeIgnoramus@reddit
Usually it's good because they keep your place in your old job for you (they may get cover) and you lesrn more about the company and how it runs. So normally, it's a risk free way of trying a new job and also learning more about the overall operations of the company.
That makes you more valuable.
ChelseaMourning@reddit
I did a series of secondments for one company over a few years, but they kept my original role open. I worked my way up through the company, but when my final secondment ran out, there was nothing at that level available and they wanted me to go back to my original, entry level role. I left.
Cultural_Tank_6947@reddit
The devil is in the detail. I work at a mega large company, so I treat every job as if it's a secondment and move teams every 18-24 months. My employer encourages this behaviour if you're interested.
In the long run, unless you're in a hyper specialised niche, which I'll be blunt organising customer shipments is not, the more you know, the more employable you are.
Lost_Repeat_725@reddit
I work in a company where they’re quite common and my last company also did them. I’ve never done one, but I typically rotate in and out of teams where extra support is needed anyway.
The ones that I’ve seen work best have generally been where it’s used as a 6 month temp job for someone who wants to try out a new role without the commitment while it also fills a gap for the company. If they don’t enjoy it or they’re awful at it then they return to their original job, and if they’re good at it and like it then often they’ll stay in that role or end up in a similar job when one opens up in the future. Essentially a risk free trial period. In cases where someone is just filling a gap and isn’t looking to move it can still work well, it’s good for networking and skills building and can be helpful down the line. It can also mean you’re going into a mess of a job and could get stuck for longer than you want to if they can’t find anyone new.
I would try to push to get in writing that your hours will be the same and you will return to the team, but even then there’s risk of getting stuck. Also consider if that team might have better long term career paths or hours etc, it could be a good chance to try and make a move if you find you like it.
MattWillGrant@reddit
If you're not being seconded to prevent your own redundancy, you just refuse. It's not up to you to cover for them failing to hire people in the logistics roles.
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