Free Secondment Agreement Template for New Zealand

A Secondment Agreement sets out the terms when one organization temporarily loans an employee to another. These arrangements are common in New Zealand's public sector, professional services firms, and multinational companies - letting workers gain experience while helping organizations share expertise.

The agreement covers key details like work duties, who pays the salary, reporting lines, and how to handle intellectual property. It protects everyone's interests under NZ employment law by clarifying the original employer stays the legal employer, while the host organization directs daily work. The agreement typically runs for 3-12 months, though some last longer.

Use a Secondment Agreement when your organization needs to temporarily share staff with another company or government department. This formal arrangement works especially well for specialized projects, filling skill gaps, or helping employees gain new expertise through hands-on experience in different environments.

The agreement becomes essential before any employee starts working at the host organization. It protects both employers under NZ employment law by clearly defining who handles pay, benefits, and workplace safety. It's particularly valuable for public sector transfers, international assignments, and situations where intellectual property or confidential information needs protecting.

• Employee Relocation Agreement: Used for domestic secondments requiring significant location changes, covering housing, travel expenses, and family support.
• Secondment Letter From Employee To Employer: For employee-initiated secondments, outlining the proposed arrangement and benefits to both organizations.
• Cross-Border Secondment Agreement: Handles international placements with added provisions for visas, tax implications, and overseas compliance.
• Public Sector Secondment Agreement: Specifically designed for transfers between government departments with special provisions for public service obligations.

• Home Organization (Original Employer): Maintains the primary employment relationship, handles payroll, and retains ultimate responsibility for the employee's terms of service.
• Host Organization: Directs the seconded employee's daily work, provides workspace and resources, and covers agreed operational costs.
• Seconded Employee: Performs duties at the host organization while maintaining employment status with their original employer.
• HR Departments: Draft and manage the Secondment Agreement, coordinate between organizations, and ensure compliance with NZ employment laws.
• Legal Teams: Review terms, ensure proper risk allocation, and address intellectual property and confidentiality concerns.

• Basic Details: Gather employee information, start/end dates, and both organizations' legal names and addresses.
• Role Definition: Document specific duties, reporting lines, and performance expectations at the host organization.
• Financial Terms: Clarify who pays salary, benefits, expenses, and any additional allowances.
• Working Conditions: Specify work location, hours, leave arrangements, and health/safety responsibilities.
• Legal Compliance: Our platform ensures your Secondment Agreement meets NZ employment law requirements while protecting intellectual property and confidentiality.
• Review Process: Have key stakeholders from both organizations validate the terms before finalizing.

• Parties and Duration: Full legal names of both organizations, employee details, and clear start/end dates.
• Employment Status: Confirmation that original employment continues with existing terms and conditions.
• Duties and Location: Specific role description, reporting structure, and workplace details.
• Financial Arrangements: Salary responsibility, expenses, benefits, and any additional allowances.
• Confidentiality: Protection of sensitive information for both organizations under NZ Privacy Act.
• Termination Rights: Notice periods and circumstances for early ending.
• Compliance Framework: Our platform ensures all these elements align with NZ employment law requirements.

A Secondment Agreement differs significantly from an Agency Agreement in several key aspects, though both involve one party working on behalf of another. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right agreement for your situation.

• Employment Status: In a secondment, the employee maintains their original employment relationship, while an agency agreement creates an independent contractor relationship.
• Duration and Purpose: Secondments are typically temporary arrangements for skill-sharing or project work, while agency agreements often establish ongoing business relationships.
• Control and Management: Seconded employees work under the host organization's direct supervision, whereas agents maintain significant autonomy in how they conduct business.
• Legal Obligations: Secondments maintain employment protections under NZ employment law, while agency agreements fall under commercial law with different liability and tax implications.