job rotation

Intermediate 👥 Human Resources

Definition

A development practice where employees temporarily move between different roles or departments to build broader skills and understanding. Cross-training disguised as career development.

Example Usage

Our job rotation program has me spending three months in finance, which is expanding my skills but mostly teaching me I never want to work in finance.

Origin

Industrial management practice from the 1950s-60s, formalized by Japanese manufacturers in the 1970s-80s

Fun Fact

Companies with robust job rotation programs report 15% higher employee engagement, though cynics note this might be because any change feels refreshing when you're bored.

Source: Talent development and organizational learning practices

Related Terms

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