Secondment Policy

Introduction

As part of our continuing commitment to develop staff, this procedure describes how secondments within the Council will operate. The policy will be entirely voluntary and no employee will be expected to undertake a secondment unless they are entirely happy, and likewise the Head of Department must give his/her support before any move can be agreed.

The rationale for Secondments

It is important that we are able to develop strong corporate teams to work from time to time on special projects (for example, Best Value and other initiatives), as well as being able to second staff individually to other services in special circumstances. The financial reality is that where additional resources are required, this can only be achieved by utilising existing resources. This has the added advantage of developing staff through teamwork, and spreading knowledge and best practice across services but, of course, it does impact on the work of the employing service and this must be recognised in Service Delivery Plans.

The commitment from the Council to the Secondee

It is important that employees moving into a secondment position, feels confident that they will not be disadvantaged by the move they are making and the following criteria will therefore apply:

• Secondments will be voluntary and subject to the willing agreement of all the parties concerned.
• The terms of reference for the secondment will be formally agreed by the parties and will be held on the secondee`s personal file within Human Resources.
• Secondments will normally be for a period of between one and twelve months, but may in exceptional circumstances be extended for a maximum period of two years.
• The normal job evaluated grade of the employee and the terms and conditions applicable to their permanent post will be applied during the period of the secondment. Any recognition for additional responsibility will be dealt in accordance with the Acting Up Policy.
• At the end of the secondment period the secondee will return to the employing department without detriment unless by mutual agreement satisfactory alternative arrangements are made. (The secondment placement may be terminated earlier by either party should this prove necessary for operational reasons).
• Human Resources will formally write to the secondee confirming the period of their secondment and the terms of this policy.
• Whilst secondments very much allow us to focus on new areas of work, they are also development opportunities for those involved. The Project Team Leader (following discussions with the secondee(s) or Head of Department as appropriate) will therefore discuss any training and development needs with the Human Resources at the earliest opportunity.

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