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 stephanie.sharples@sheffield.ac.uk Sally Merrett Student Support Adviser in the Department of Physics & Astronomy s.merrett@sheffield.ac.uk

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.