Secondments is the future of jobs!

I first heard the term “secondment” in 2012. I didn’t know it was a thing until I found out that a colleague of mine at NASSCOM was on a secondment from E&Y. Ten years later, when I think about it, the concept is quite simple, despite its esoteric vibe.

Okay, let’s simplify it. Think of secondments as “job rotation.” It’s an opportunity for an employee to temporarily work with a different team within their organization or with a different one entirely. It’s the on-the-job equivalent of a student exchange program! Pretty cool, right?

Think of scenarios when you feel compelled to change your job. Maybe you’re burned out and need a change, or you and your manager don’t get along. Maybe you’ve plateaued in your current role or you’re looking for a springboard to launch into something new. A secondment could be just what you need.

As the world of work continues to evolve, new trends and practices are emerging that are shaping the way we approach our careers. One trend that is gaining traction is secondments, or job rotations. Recent data shows that secondments are on the rise, particularly in industries such as technology and finance. A study conducted by the World Economic Forum found that 59% of companies surveyed offer secondments as part of their career development programs, up from 46% just two years prior. In terms of economic impact, a study by Deloitte found that organizations that implemented secondments saw an average increase in productivity of 11%. This highlights the potential for secondments to not only benefit employees and organizations, but also to drive economic growth.

For organizations, secondments can help drive innovation by bringing fresh perspectives and new ideas to different parts of the company. This can also help break down silos and foster cross-functional collaboration, leading to improved efficiency and better decision-making. Additionally, secondments can help organizations identify high-potential employees and provide a valuable tool for succession planning. For employees, secondments provide an opportunity to develop new skills, expand their professional network, and gain valuable experience working in different areas of the company. This can lead to increased job satisfaction, career advancement, and a better understanding of the organization as a whole. Secondments can also help organizations identify high-potential employees and provide a valuable tool for succession planning.