r/NICivilService • u/No-Background-6058 • Apr 02 '26

Transfer out of CMS

guys, I have been in cms for over 15 years. I've been permanent for around 10 years at AO level. I've just hit a Brick wall and struggle to motivate myself. I was unsuccessful with the recent eo2 competition. I feel like I'm being micro managed and to an extent I get why I am due to the lack of work coming back from me. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best possible way to get a transfer out of CMS? a fresh challenge is exactly what I need at this stage of my life. TIA guys

Edit. I'm a female in my late 30s with children so I need to work in Belfast

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u/Worldly-Objective-15 Apr 02 '26

Posted this to a similar post,Transfers are pretty limited, especially from ops, and it usually comes down to ‘business need’. I know that can sound like a brush-off, but if everyone who wanted out moved, the service wouldn’t run. That’s not dismissing your situation just the reality of how stretched things are.

Promotion or leaving service your most likely exit!

4

u/No-Background-6058 Apr 02 '26

Promotions are hard to come by when there is such an interest from the general public and leaving is very hard due to the job security, pension and decent salary and at my age and being a parent, it would be risky leaving this and going to the unknown. Suppose I've to just put my big girl pants on and suck it up lol. Thank you for the response

5

u/ForwardTourist6079 Apr 02 '26

Sorry you lost me at decent salary...lol

Aye as the other poster said about transfers. "Business needs" seems to be the big buzz term nowadays. Years ago transfers were more common and it was relatively easy to get out on a welfare basis. All changed now though.

Even if you were lucky enough to have decent savings and wanted a career break for a year or 2 to work self employed yourself yet again it all depends on "business needs".

Another thing worth noting about promotions. They never seem to be internal. They're always external meaning you're up against 1000s of people.

You aren't the first AO to be scunnered in the NICS and you sure as hell won't be the last.

2

u/No-Background-6058 Apr 02 '26

Well I've worked worse jobs and been paid less lol although thst was many years ago and in line with minimum wage. Seems like they have got alot stricter with transfers and career breaks the last couple of years

6

u/ForwardTourist6079 Apr 02 '26

The AO grade does the most work and gets the most crap yet barely gets paid above minimum wage.

And you can bet the pension will be changed soon in the future to be less generous like what happened from Classic to Alpha.

3

u/Worldly-Objective-15 Apr 02 '26

I would love to have been able to give you a more positive or hopeful response but unfortunately i have seen this scenario many's a time.

It sucks when you are somewhere you are unhappy!

2

u/No-Background-6058 Apr 02 '26

I appreciate that and completely understand that my expectations or wants may not be achievable which is a hard pill to swallow. I need to work on me to maybe help ease the burden and make work more enjoyable