It is important that anyone undertaking a secondment is aware of variations in pay and conditions that may exist between organisations including libraries. An additional benefit of secondments is that it enables human resources/personnel staff at different organisations to become familiar with variable conditions and practices, and to interact with fellow practitioners at like organisations. It is likely that few or none of the issues below will present difficulty but good communication and understanding between the secondee and the HR/personnel contacts at host and home libraries will ensure any potential issues are considered and solved prior to a secondment commencing. To this end there needs to be a suitable lead time for secondments.

Enterprise Bargaining Agreement/Partnership Agreement

Staff who are considering a secondment should make themselves aware of their host library’s EBA/EPA prior to accepting a position. Usually, the differences in conditions will be relatively minor but it is best for all concerned that any potential issues are dealt with prior to a secondment commencing.

Salary

Where a position is an advertised temporary assignment then specific salary rates will be attached to the position. Usually, where a position is at an equivalent level, the salary rate would be at the same level within the salary grade. Where secondments are between organisations with different rate structures (public, state, university) it would be expected that a salary at the closest grade would be negotiated.

Hours

Hours can vary between various levels of government, usually between 35 and 38 hours per week. The secondee taking up the position would usually be required to meet the hours as required by the host library.

Weekends and evenings

These will vary from library to library and organisation in terms of hours worked and method of payment. Within some libraries, hours worked outside normal office hours may be acquitted through time off in lieu of additional salary. Some libraries may treat evenings and weekends as overtime; others may include them within normal hours and acquit them through days in lieu and penalty rates. The penalty rates may differ, particularly for evenings and Saturdays.

Superannuation

Different library services and libraries at various levels of government use different superannuation schemes. Also, different staff may belong to ‘old’ or ‘new’ schemes with differing conditions. If the salary is paid directly by the host institution, then appropriate arrangements need to be made by them for the payment of superannuation where there is a variation in scheme.

Payment

The home library may continue to pay the secondee and be reimbursed by the host library. Alternately it may be easier if the secondee is placed on leave without pay and the host library takes over salary payment and leave processing for the duration of the secondment.

Recreation leave

The usual practice is that by mutual agreement, the secondee will not take substantial amounts of leave during the period of the secondment. Usually, the secondee will only be eligible to use leave accrued at the host organisation while at the host library. Leave thus accrued and unused will be paid out when the secondee returns to their home library.

Sick leave

Normally where a secondee has applied for a temporary assignment, they would receive a sick leave credit on commencement. Any sick leave remaining from this accrual would not usually be added to the secondee’s credit at their home library.

Long service leave

Due to the short-term nature of secondments, it would be expected that long service leave would not be taken. Usually long service leave accrual during the secondment would be added to credits at the home library.

Travel

Undertaking a secondment will involve a change of travel arrangements. There would not normally be any allowance paid to offset additional fare costs. Secondees should consider the additional costs and time of travel when considering the position. If the secondment or exchange involves work in a different part of Victoria, then associated costs would normally be borne by the secondee.