De-ta-che-ren (seconded, has seconded) means temporarily assign or employ elsewhere. This is the literal definition of secondment according to the Van Dale. If we look at the definition of secondment on the labour market, then we're talking about employment. Both practically trained people and highly educated people are hired as secondees for permanent positions, temporary projects and interim assignments. Secondment means nothing other than that an organization hires or 'borrows' an employee from another organization for a certain period of time.
Employers can hire employees from a similar company in the sector, but they often engage a secondment agency. The secondment agency (lender) has, for example, starters or specialists on its payroll and the client (hirer) hires the employee for a period. The hirer pays a fee to the lender for this. In short: the secondment agency remains the employer of the loaned employee. The employee is employed by the secondment agency and is temporarily seconded to the hirer, where he or she performs work. The employee remains on the lender's payroll.
One person wants to gain experience elsewhere temporarily, while the other is looking for an extra pair of hands in a supporting role. Secondment offers great opportunities for both the client and the employee. We list the advantages for you.
With secondment you can quickly and easily hire staff, for example if you are looking for a replacement due to maternity leave. But also when you need an extra pair of hands for the execution of a project or require specific knowledge that is not present in your organization. The secondment agency conducts preliminary interviews with candidates. This allows both parties to see whether there is room for cooperation. Often these candidates have several years of work experience, which gives them broad knowledge.
A secondment agency provides clients with extensive support. They invest in their employees through coaching and professional training. This keeps the knowledge and skills of the seconded employee up to date. This is attractive to employers, because the seconded employee always has the right professional knowledge.
When you hire a seconded employee, you only have to pay him or her for the hours actually worked. You don't have to take into account vacation days or public holidays. You also don't bear employer risks, such as continuing to pay wages if the employee becomes long-term sick.
With secondment you bind employees to your organization for a certain period. They bring new knowledge and ideas with them and can positively influence permanent employees in the workplace.
Secondment offers a solution for employees who want to take control of their careers. Entry-level workers or professionals looking for varied work can, as secondees, work at different companies for a set period. Assignments vary in length from six months to a year and sometimes even longer. They can also gain experience in another sector or explore other opportunities within their field. In addition, secondment offers security, because even if you don't have an assignment you continue to be paid by your employer. Unless you choose to work as a freelancer. In that case you receive a higher fee, part of which you set aside as a ‘rainy-day fund’ and from which you pay for disability insurance.
Because employees start working at different companies for a certain period, they repeatedly find themselves in a different work environment. In this way they come into contact with different corporate cultures, which teaches them to be flexible. They also discover which way of working suits them best. Secondment gives employees the freedom to discover what they are good at, which leads to greater job satisfaction.
Secondment agencies offer personal guidance to respond to the personal wishes and needs of the employee. There is often also a training budget for further development. Together with the employer, the employee maps out his or her career. By choosing secondment, an employee gets a new opportunity each time to gain skills and experience with a client. That way they are sure what suits them best.
An employee who works at multiple companies has better chances of getting a good job. Because they come into contact with multiple professionals, they build up a large network themselves. Without connections, for example, it is difficult to start working at large international organizations. In addition, staffing agencies often organize drinks and interactive knowledge sessions, through which they come into contact with peers. That way several closed doors suddenly open.
