What Is Secondment? Meaning, Types & Benefits in India
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The temporary transfer of an employee to another role, department, or organization. Secondments help develop skills and strengthen collaboration.
Secondment is the temporary transfer of an employee to a different role, department, or organisation while maintaining their original employment contract. It allows employees to gain new skills, experience different work environments, and strengthen collaboration between teams or companies.
In India, secondments are common in consulting, IT services, government projects, and multinational companies. They can be within the same company (internal) or with another organisation (external), often under formal agreements to define responsibilities and terms.
💬 “Pagarai’s HR templates made it easy for us to draft secondment agreements that protected both company and employee interests.” — Alok, HR Business Partner
👉 Need ready-to-use secondment agreements? [Get Pagarai’s HR contract templates →]
Types of Secondment
| Type | Purpose |
| Internal Secondment | Temporary transfer to another department or project within the same company |
| External Secondment | Employee works for another organisation while still employed by the original company |
| International Secondment | Temporary transfer to a branch or partner company abroad |
| Project-Based Secondment | For a specific assignment with defined start and end dates |
| Developmental Secondment | Focused on skill-building and career growth |
Bonus: Always define duration, reporting structure, and responsibilities in writing to avoid disputes.
Why It Matters
- Enhances employee skills and career development
- Strengthens collaboration between teams or organisations
- Helps fill temporary skill gaps without permanent hiring
- Retains talent by offering varied work experiences
- Supports succession planning and leadership grooming
Common Tools for Managing Secondments in India
- Zoho People, Keka – for HR workflow and tracking
- Digital contract platforms – for drafting and signing agreements
- Pagarai HR Suite – for secondment agreements, role tracking, and compliance
How Pagarai Helps
- Provides legally compliant secondment agreement templates
- Tracks employee assignments and timelines
- Integrates secondment data with payroll and performance systems
- Helps manage knowledge transfer during and after secondment
- Ensures compliance with labour laws and tax regulations
FAQ
Q1: Is the employee still paid by their original employer during secondment?
Usually yes, but payment terms depend on the agreement between the organisations.
Q2: Can secondments be extended?
Yes — if both parties agree and it’s documented formally.
Q3: Are secondments common in India?
Yes — especially in industries that require flexible talent deployment.
Q4: Do secondments affect employee benefits?
Generally no — unless specified otherwise in the agreement.
