Secondment programs—temporary internal swaps or external placements—are helping companies cultivate next-gen leadership, cross-functional empathy, and global perspective. Global firms like Unilever and Deloitte routinely use secondments to embed high-potential talent in different cultures or departments.
This post outlines how companies structure secondment agreements: duration, compensation alignment, reporting, and reintegration planning. It explores benefits—accelerated learning, network exposure, and retention—and also logistical and legal challenges like visa coordination, role expectations, and cost sharing. When executed strategically, secondments aren’t just professional development—they’re tools for culture-building and organizational cohesion.