Secondment

[muimuipui]

I have asked my employer if they would let me take up an internal secondment position and they have said they cannot as they may not be able to backfill my position. I feel this is very unfair and am a bit unsure as to what backfill means and if there is anything I can do? I have worked for this employer (a local council) for 11 years and feel that I should be allowed to progress. Can anyone help?

[bednobs]

no. You are not entitled to demand it i'm afraid, if they can't spare you they can't spare you. Backfill means to get someone in to do your current job while you are off doing the other one

[boxtops]

It's a reasonable request and a reasonable response. Secondment can usually only be agreed if there are funds to pay for someone else to do your job while you're away doing something else. The terms of secondment usually mean that there is a guarantee of some sort that you get your own job back after the period of secondment - so although it's a useful way of gaining wider experience, it's not a permanent promotion opportunity. I would imagine that working for the council, there will be a secondment policy - also (if feel it's worth it) there will be a grievance process for you to protest formally if you think it's not fair. Is there a precedent? - has anyone else been offered secondment?