Secondment vs permanent position

[polaroids]

I've just been offered a job with a new employer who works closely with my current employer. They have said I can either take the job on a secondment basis (assuming my current employer is willing - I have not broached this yet) or take it as a permanent position.

I've been feeling quite disenchanted with my current role and so had not thought very serious about the secondment option until now. I see this job as a longer term option for me, and suspect it is unlikely I'll want to return to my current employer after two years. But before I make the final decision I want to make sure I understand the pros and cons of the secondment option. I have had a look online but a lot of the information relates to internal secondments.

As I understand it, if I go down the secondment route I will be subject to the T&Cs of my current employer vs the new one, so that is obviously one factor to take into account (the T&Cs are marginally better under my new employer - eg more leave, a better pension). Under a secondment I would have the right to return to my old employer - but I'm not clear whether I would be disadvantaging myself if I ended up wanting to stay in the new role (obviously if the job was permanent this wouldn't be an issue). On the other hand, there are some status advantages of maintaining a formal link with my current employer - and of course it gives me a get out clause after two years.

Any thoughts welcome as I'm feeling somewhat confused. I can talk to someone about this at the new employers, but very interested in others' experience.

But do you need a get out clause, why would you not just leave at that point?

Based on what you have said I would give notice from Job 1 and start Job 2 as a permanent position. Ensuring you are not bound by contract to not go to job 2, discuss it with your manager first.

If it was a secondment, what business case would job 1 have for accepting it? How would you going to Job 2 under secondment help Job 1? Would you gain new skills that would lead to a promotion in Job 1?

Also, you mentioned 2 years, but there is the possibility of a much shorter agreed secondment.

I would also be questioning, why Job 2 would accept you either as permanent or seconded. How do they benefit by having you on a temporary basis?

It may be worth having a meeting between all of you to discuss:

a) How long the secondment will last
b) What happens if any of the parties to the arrangement wish to end the secondment early
c) What specific contractual obligations the employee will have to fulfil, and for whom
d) Who will be the ‘employer’ during the period of secondment
e) What happens to pay and other benefits during the secondment
f) Who will be responsible for disciplinary / performance issues
g) What obligations the employer and the host organisation will have to each other
h) The procedures and supervisory arrangements to be followed during the secondment
i) The day-to-day line management responsibility for a seconded member of staff, for example, reporting absence due to sickness, approving holidays
j) What travelling and subsistence expenses the employee will be eligible for, the rates that will apply and who will be responsible for
reimbursement
k) Release of the employee for training and/or maintenance of professional qualifications, and which party will meet the cost of training
l) What mechanisms the releasing employer will put in place so the seconded employee can keep in touch

I've come across this a fair bit in academia - don't suppose that's your field? Then it can be used as a way of tempting academics to do roles that might otherwise not be very attractive to them while maintaining a link to their university. Personally it always seems a pain for the original employer as it means they can't hire a permanent replacement though I appreciate this isn't your problem in this instance.

Ultimately surely it is about how likely it is you think you'll want to return to the original job? If you don't think it's that then isn't it easier all round to go for a permanent position?