What happens if your (secondment) job is cut whilst on a secondment?

Siarad

I have just (this week) started a seconded post at my work, covering the maternity leave of another employee in another part of my organisation. This seconded post offers considerably more money than my substantive role and is a good opportunity to redevelop my skills and to reuse skills from my qualification that I have been unable to use to full effect.


Almost as soon as I was appointed to the seconded post, developments in the organisation meant a substantial drop in service users which may or may not pick up again, dependant on developments and successful work at the top. Colleagues in my seconded role are talking about being concerned for their jobs and it already seems clear that, currently, there are too many people employed here given the drop in service users.


In contrast, there is no reason to believe that the role from which I was seconded is immediately at risk, as service user numbers in that area remain consistent. My secondment from that role is currently being covered by someone on a fixed term one year contract.


If my employers decide to cut the role that I'm seconded to before my secondment term is finished (which presumably would also mean removing a role for the woman on maternity leave to come back to), what might happen and what are my options? Will I still be able to return to my original role? If so, will I be able to return early and what would that mean for the person covering me and their fixed contract?

Savvy_Sue

Well, I can't say for certain, but ...

If your secondment role finishes early, then generally you'd go back to your original role, and the person doing that would be given notice before the end of their contract. With less than 2 years employment, that's easy enough to do.

When we employ / second someone to cover maternity, the offer / contract is for 'up to one year, although this is subject to change'.

Siarad

That's a reassuring thought - thank you!


It would be disappointing to return early but it's already been a nice break from what I was doing and a good prompt to think about my employment future.

Marcon

Check the terms of your secondment - what do these say?

TELLIT01

After a secondment you would normally return to your previous role, on the previous salary. If the secondment ends early, you return early. If there is nothing specific in the offer of the secondment you wouldn't normally retain the higher wage once the secondment ends.