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Try before you buy: Test driving your new
career
AUA Annual Conference, 21-23 March 2016
Housekeeping Fire alarms Toilets Phones on silent
Who we are Stephanie Sharples Personal Assistant to the Head of School of Mathematics and Statistics and the Head of Department of Physics and Astronomy [email protected] Sally Merrett Student Support Adviser in the Department of Physics & Astronomy [email protected]
Aims and Objectives
• To understand what a secondment is • To consider the benefits and issues of a
secondment • To be able to make an informed
decision about whether a secondment might be right got you
What is a secondment? “The term 'secondment' refers to the temporary movement or 'loan' of an employee to another part of an organisation A secondment is usually when an employee either joins another department or institution within their own organisation for a specified period of time and carries out work required for operational or project purposes. Secondments can be part time or full-time, may last for a few weeks or up to one year and may arise for a variety of reasons e.g. covering a period of leave.” Source: http://www.cipd.co.uk/hr-resources/factsheets/secondment.aspx
Introduce yourself to your table • Your name
• Institution
• Why interested in session
In groups of 4-6 use the post-its available to answer the following: Why might a secondment be available?
Group Work
Why might a secondment be available? • Parental Leave • Illness • Sabbatical • Re-structure within a team • Project (e.g Student Systems Project) • Someone leaves a fixed term post early • Changes to contracts. Job share
In groups of 4-6 use the post-its available to answer the following: What are the benefits of a secondment? What are the potential issues?
Group Work
Consider the benefits and the issues for:
• Self
• Original Department
• New Department
• The Organisation
Benefits for you • New skills, knowledge
and experiences
• Strengthen current skills
• University awareness
• Working practices
• Expand horizons
• Networks
• Raise profile
• Career development
• Employability
• Confidence
• Reflection
• Safety net
• Transferable skills
Benefits to home department • Staff retention • Bring back skills and knowledge • Sharing good practice • Networks and partnerships • Improves morale, motivation and retention. • Re-structure opportunities • Widens staff development opportunities. • New blood/new ideas
Benefits to the host department • Cost-effective • Recruit to non standard positions • Cover one off project • Fresh thinking/new ideas • Develop links • Re-structure opportunities • Reduced training needs • Networks and partnerships • Shorter notice period
Benefits to the Organisation • More informed, skilled and flexible workforce • Retention of skills and knowledge • Sharing good practice • Improved process and service delivery • More motivated workforce • Promoting equality of opportunity • University’s image • Breaking down barriers – silos • Promoting CPD
Issues for Self • Surprises
• Prefer secondment
• Office politics
• Logistics
• Uncertainty
• Working environment
• Managing transition
• Handover
Issues for original department
• Additional work
• Vacancy to recruit
• Losing knowledge
• Disruption
Issues for new department
• Train the new person
• Uncertainty
• Managing transition - Negotiation
• Logistics
Issues for the Organisation
• Creates work for HR and IT
Quote According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's Managing Employee Careers survey (2003), secondment is one of the top 10 most commonly used career management practices. 67% of respondents considered them to be ‘effective’ or ‘very effective’. Quoted from: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/staff/ppd/resources/shadowingandsecondment/
Case studies
• Please read the case studies provided
• There are 4 case studies from secondees
• There are 2 case studies from line managers
• Have a discussion on your table about any questions and thoughts the case studies raise
“Looked brilliant on my
CV! Got my next job due
to my experience”
“Make the most of staff
whilst you have them!”
“Was not aware that
secondments were for
Professional Services staff”
“Making arrangements for
the work to be covered …..is not
my favourite thing to do.”
“This should be a positive,
development opportunity for
a member of staff”
Hints and Tips • Make sure you plan your move carefully.
• Do not use secondment as a way to avoid a job you dislike.
• Anticipate that the working practices and environment may be different.
• Be prepared for a tough few weeks when you first start. Unlike a new job people’s expectations of secondees is that they will ‘hit the ground running’
• Secondments are available for people who work part-time. Don’t a secondment advertised as full-time, there’s no harm in asking!
• If you are adaptable and aspire to developing new skills and areas of expertise, you will thrive in a secondment role.
Summary From this session, you should:
• Be able to explain what a secondment is
• Understand the benefits & issues of a secondment for all parties involved
• Feel that you are better equipped to understand if a secondment would be right for you
Links and Questions http://www.cam.ac.uk/for-staff/features/secondments-are-good-for-staff-departments-and-the-university http://www.jobs.ac.uk/careers-advice/careers-advice/593/going-on-secondment Am I entitled to return to my substantive post at the end of the secondment? Yes - this is always the case with a secondment opportunity, which is why it is essential to liaise with your 'home' line manager at the earliest opportunity. Things to consider Pensions, Annual leave, Appraisals - each institute varies so discuss with your line manager/HR
Evaluation
Thanks very much for your time!
Please complete evaluation forms.
To Discover And Understand.
