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Secondments
Last updated December 2023
This chapter explains how secondments work, and the obligations and liabilities of the original and host employers.
What is a secondment?
In a secondment, an employment relationship exists between the secondee and the original employer (and in some cases, with the host employer).
Definition: Secondment
A secondment is when an employee (the secondee) of one employer (the original employer) works for a period of time with another employer (the host employer), while retaining some connection with the original employer.
A secondment is when an employee (the secondee) of one employer (the original employer) works for a period of time with another employer (the host employer), while retaining some connection with the original employer.
In a secondment, an employment relationship exists between the secondee and the original employer (and in some cases, with the host employer).
The host employer requires the services of the secondee for a specific period, and an arrangement is made between the original employer and host employer for the secondee to provide those services.
The secondee will usually have the right to resume working exclusively with their original employer when the secondment ends.
Important: A secondment usually involves a variation of the secondee’s terms and conditions of employment. Therefore, it is not something that can be imposed on the secondee against their will. Nor can the secondee claim an entitlement to a secondment. This is different to a temporary assignment when an employer directs an employee to work for another business pursuant to a clause in an employment contract.
A secondment may be:
- fixed-term or open-ended; and
- extended or reduced, but only in accordance with the agreement of the original employer, the host employer and the secondee.