When a person moves to a new department or location within their company, this is called a lateral move. It can be beneficial for the employee and the company. Although the lateral move might not be as rewarding or have the same amount of responsibility, it still offers the opportunity to grow and develop.
A promotion, however, is a change in the employee's responsibilities or salary. This often happens as a result of a good performance review, or when an employer realizes the employee is capable of advancement.
The two terms are used interchangeably in business, but there are important differences between them. A lateral transfer is usually a job that has the same requirements as the employee's former position, but with more responsibility.
The pay grade is usually lower than what the employee was earning in their previous job. For some employers, this could be a problem.
It is important to plan and negotiate lateral moves with your supervisor. These moves can take months or years to complete. You should discuss your lateral move with the manager well in advance.
In certain cases, a move to another workplace can solve a conflict or a bad work environment. For example, if an employee's manager has grown to dislike them or a company culture is toxic, it may be time for the employee to move. The employee can re-engage in their work by moving to a different department.
A lateral career move can not only help you advance in your professional life, but it can also benefit your personal one. As an example, you will meet new coworkers and make friendships with them that could last a life time. It can be beneficial to your mental well-being to have more people in the social circle. This can impact your performance both at work and personally.
A lateral movement can also introduce you to a completely different culture. You can gain a fresh perspective on the business world, and learn more about yourself.
You can use it to escape a job rut or to shake up your routine if you are tired of the one you have. This can be an excellent move for those who are just beginning their careers and need to gain some experience before moving on to a bigger organization.
A lateral move can be a positive thing for the employee, but it's not always a good thing for the company. A company might be reluctant about letting an experienced and highly-skilled worker leave his department because it fears losing that employee's talent or ability as a leader.