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Flexible secondment solutions for longer-term and specialist assignments
Secondment, also known as detachering, is a staffing model in which Undutchables provides an employee who remains employed by Undutchables while working at your organization for an agreed period. This model is commonly used for longer-term assignments, specialist roles, or project-based work where you need a dedicated professional embedded in your team, without adding permanent headcount to your payroll.
As a secondment agency, Undutchables remains the legal employer and handles employment contracts, payroll, HR administration, and compliance. You manage the day-to-day work, while we ensure the assignment runs smoothly, transparently, and fully in line with the agreed contractual terms.
What Is Secondment (Detachering)?
Secondment is a form of employment in which a professional works at a client organization while remaining employed by a secondment company. In this model, Undutchables is the legal employer and retains responsibility for payroll, employment administration, and employer obligations.
Compared with short-term temporary staffing, secondment is typically used for longer assignments, specialized expertise, or situations where continuity and deeper integration into the client’s organization are required. Contractual rules, tariffs, and responsibilities are agreed per assignment and documented in a secondment agreement.
Who Is Secondment For?
Secondment is the right solution when you need:
- A longer-term or project-based specialist embedded in your organization
- A professional managed day-to-day by your team while employment remains with the agency
- Flexibility to scale capacity without creating a permanent employment relationship
- Clear contractual arrangements for specialist or interim roles
Typical examples include interim specialists, project leads, IT or finance professionals, or coverage for long-term absences. Secondment contracts and tariffs are tailored to each client and assignment.
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How Secondment Works at Undutchables
Our secondment process is structured, transparent, and fully compliant from start to finish.
1. Agreement and Contracting
We begin by agreeing on the commercial and contractual framework, including:
- Assignment confirmation and secondment agreement defining scope, duration, and working hours
- Pricing, tariffs, and invoicing method
- Responsibilities such as sickness risk, trial periods, and termination rights
- Applicable contract phases, such as Phase A or Phase B, where relevant
All terms are confirmed upfront in signed fee letters and contracts.
2. Sourcing and Vetting
We source and present candidates based on the agreed profile. Vetting may include:
- CV and experience checks
- Reference checks
- Role-specific assessments such as technical tests, language checks or qualification verification
Candidates are presented with a clear profile and our recommendation to support informed interview decisions.
3. Onboarding and Placement Setup
Before the assignment starts, we complete all administrative and compliance steps, including:
- Identity and work-eligibility checks
- Contract signing and documentation
- BRI, ARBO and role-specific compliance documents where applicable
- Operational setup in our systems, including rates, approvers, and key dates
This results in a fully documented, audit-proof placement that is ready to start on time.
4. Day-to-Day Management and Responsibilities
During the assignment:
- Your organization manages daily tasks, supervision, and project priorities
- Undutchables remains the legal employer and handles payroll, benefits, and HR administration
- We manage sickness, absences, and replacements according to the agreed contract terms
Escalation routes and responsibilities are clearly defined in the secondment agreement.
5. Invoicing, Payroll and Reporting
Payroll and invoicing follow the cadence agreed upon in the assignment confirmation. We provide:
- Transparent invoicing based on approved hours
- Payroll processing and administration
- Reporting on hours worked, costs, and assignment status
Signed tariffs and fee letters document all agreed rates.
6. End of Assignment and Transition
As the assignment nears completion, we support a planned transition, such as:
- Extension or renewal of the secondment
- Handover and closure of the assignment
- Discussions about direct hire if desired
Contractual terms for extensions or early termination are defined in the secondment agreement.
Phase System, Rules and Legal Framework
Secondment assignments may operate under an ABU Phase A or Phase B framework where applicable. Assignment confirmations and contract documents clearly explain entitlements, administrative steps, and billing implications for each phase.
Client-specific secondment rules, such as confidentiality, security requirements, or on-site conduct, are incorporated into the secondment agreement and onboarding process where relevant.
Compliance and Quality Controls
Secondment assignments require strict compliance. Undutchables manages:
- Identity and work-eligibility checks
- Employment contracts and payroll documentation
- BRI, ARBO, and sickness rules where applicable
- Signed fee letters, tariffs, and assignment confirmations
We only request and process documents required for compliance and apply strict retention rules to protect both client and employee data.
What You Receive From Undutchables
You receive:
- A signed secondment agreement and assignment confirmation
- The secondee’s employment contract and compliance documentation
- Transparent invoicing and reporting
- A named Undutchables contact for operational support
This ensures clarity, continuity, and control throughout the assignment.
Why Clients Choose Undutchables for Secondment
Clients work with Undutchables because we offer:
- Practical flexibility without adding headcount to your payroll
- Clear contractual frameworks and established secondment rules
- Transparent tariffs and straightforward administration
- Experience with specialist, multilingual, and international professionals
Our secondment solutions combine flexibility with structure and compliance.
Next Steps
Share your role specification, desired assignment period, working hours, and any client-specific requirements. We will prepare a secondment agreement and assignment confirmation, present suitable candidates, and begin onboarding after your approval.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Secondment
What does secondment mean?
Secondment means that an employee works at a client organization for a fixed period while remaining employed by a secondment company. The secondment company remains the legal employer and manages payroll and employment administration.
How does a secondment work in practice?
In practice, the client manages the employee’s day-to-day work and responsibilities, while the secondment company handles the employment contract, payroll, HR administration, and compliance.
What is the difference between secondment and temporary staffing?
Secondment is usually used for longer-term or specialist assignments where continuity is important. Temporary staffing is more short term and focused on flexibility. In both models, the agency is the legal employer.
Can a secondment become permanent?
Yes, a secondment can sometimes transition into a permanent role. This depends on the agreements set out in the secondment contract and the terms agreed between the client, the agency, and the employee.
What is a secondment contract?
A secondment contract is a written agreement that defines the assignment scope, duration, working hours, pricing, and responsibilities, including employment, payroll, and compliance arrangements.
