stephanie sharples and sally merrett - try before you buy printable handout

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 and

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

Group Work

In groups of 4-6 use the post-its available to answer the following:

Why might a secondment be available?

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

Group Work

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?

Consider the benefits and the issues for:

• Self • Original Department • New Department • The Organisation

Benefits for you There are many benefits to undertaking an administrative secondment: • Develop new skills, knowledge and experiences • Strengthen current skills by applying them in a new area • Develop a greater understanding of the University • Gain up to date knowledge of current working practices in other areas • Expand horizons to support career development • Establish networks with colleagues • Create a visible personal profile within the department, division or University

and establish key contacts with senior managers and leaders • Achieve development objectives in a time-limited period • Increase your opportunities for career development and progression • Confidence – new challenge • New appreciation for your original job • Like going into a new job, but you have the benefit of returning.

Benefits to home department • Retention of a valued and skilled member of the team • Application of the secondee's improved skills and knowledge to

improve and enhance the skill sets of others • Exposure to new working practices and processes • Opportunities to develop networks and partnerships with other

departments and institutions – Improved Communication. • Improves workforce morale, motivation and retention. • Gives opportunity to re-structure jobs within a team. • Exposes colleagues to the idea of considering a secondment or

other development opportunity. • Gives colleagues opportunity to take on new challenges.

Benefits to the host department • Cost-effective acquisition of specific knowledge and skills to the

department • Ability to cover a period of leave or to temporarily fill a role that is

proving difficult to fill • Opportunity to undertake a particular project or task • Offer fresh thinking and new approaches to organisational

problems or development • Develop links with other departments and institutions • Gives opportunity to re-structure jobs within a team. • Easier to bring in someone already familiar with the University

systems. • Department can utilise contacts and knowledge associated with the

new person. • Shorter notice period

Benefits to the Organisation • Development of a more informed, skilled and flexible workforce • Retention of talented administrators and the skills, knowledge and

experiences they possess • Enable improved knowledge sharing, communication and

understanding between departments across the University • Improved process and service delivery derived from sharing and

learning from departments and administrators with differing outlooks and perspectives – Efficiency, Appreciation for the wider University

• Enhanced employee morale, motivation and commitment • Promoting equality of opportunity for University staff • Enhances University’s image as an employer of choice. • Breaking down barriers – silos • Promoting continuing professional development

Issues for Self • Might not be what you expect or thought it would be! • Might not want to return. Coping with the prospect of return • Might want to stay but no opportunity to do so • Might be faced with office politics • Get caught between the two departments – negotiating start date/end

date • You worry what you will return to! • Lack of clarity on role security • Transition back to old role – IT/HR issues – keeping record up to date. • Potentially quite isolating – may not be surrounded by people who are

involved in your area of work. • Getting contacted in relation to your substantive post while on

secondment. Communicating change in responsibilities and managing the transition.

• Risk of lack of handover

Issues for original department

• Vacancy to recruit • Losing knowledge – takes time to replace • Disruption to the team and department

Issues for new department

• Recruit and train the new person in specific aspects of the department – Same for standard recruitment

• Might not get what they were expecting – Same for standard recruitment

• Negotiation of when the new person can start • Office space – desk allocation • Setting up phones, mailing lists

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 You should: • Know 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

• Any questions?

Links and Questions http://www.cam.ac.uk/for-staff/features/secondments-are-good-for-staff-departments-and-the-university Jobs.ac.uk 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. To consider Pensions, Annual leave, Appraisals - each institute varies so discuss with your line manager/HR

Evaluation

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To Discover And Understand.