What Is Lateral Move? | HR Glossary | BambooHR
A sideways move to a role at a similar level, broadening experience rather than increasing seniority.
A lateral move is a change of role at broadly the same level of seniority and pay, rather than a promotion upwards. The employee takes on different responsibilities, often in another team or function, to widen their experience.
Lateral moves benefit both sides: the employee builds a broader skill set and fresh perspective, while the organisation develops more versatile, resilient talent and fills roles internally. They can also re-energise someone who has plateaued in their current position.
Encouraging lateral mobility requires a culture that values breadth as well as upward progression, plus transparent internal vacancy processes. It is an underused tool for retention, since it offers growth without the limited number of promotion slots.
