Secondment Help

[Asherbob17]

Hello, hoping for some advice. I’m currently seconded internally to cover a maternity leave, and don’t want to go back to my old job. My colleague has informed the company she isn’t returning from maternity leave a while ago, but I have still had a letter to tell me my secondment will come to an end as planned and I will go back to my old job. Can this still happen even though the post holder isn’t returning? I was hoping I would get the job by default... thanks all!

Yes, that's right - you should return to your previous role with a secondment as it's a temporary move out of your substantive (usual) role.

In my employer if the role with maternity cover is not returning the role has now become vacant so would need to be advisertised/recruited for by a transparent process. You would be allowed to apply but on a level playing field with other potential applicants. You should have a good chance but there would be uproar if you were given the job on the nod so to speak.

As pps have said, it will need to be advertised and interviewed through a fair process I'm afraid. But given you have hands on experience you should smash it! However, don't rest on your laurels and just assume you'll get it! Ive had to tell the maternity cover of a post for 12 months that they were beaten at interview by someone else better as they just didn't prepare for the interview at all and assumed it was their right to it. They were dreadful in the interview!

Good luck, hope they advertise it and you get it x

That makes perfect sense, I’ll keep a look out for the advertisement and apply if/when it pops up. I knew I was clutching at straws thinking it would be automatic but I was still disappointed to get the letter. Thanks all!

I would not assume that you would get two keep the current role by default. Your old manager would be expecting you back and it is good practice that this is the assumption, otherwise managers might start blocking secondments which does nobody my favours.

The role you are currently doing will most likely be advertised and you could apply same as anyone else.

@Asherbob17

That makes perfect sense, I’ll keep a look out for the advertisement and apply if/when it pops up. I knew I was clutching at straws thinking it would be automatic but I was still disappointed to get the letter. Thanks all!

Why not just ask the manager you are currently reporting into what’s happening?!