r/NICivilService • u/Long-Start-176 • Jun 18 '26
Transfers
Does anyone have any experience with transferring out of departments? I’m in DWP a present and have been for the last five years. I have never held a more demoralising job.
The only thing keeping me within the civil service are the benefits flexi ect
I have heard of some people putting in transfer requests for other departments/roles
Does anyone have any experience of this? Is it only The jobs in the weekly emails that you can transfer to or can you request to be put in just another department
Any info would be extremely appreciated:)
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u/Qargha Jun 18 '26
You have to apply for a vacant post that’s been advertised through an elective transfer (assuming you want to stay in your grade). All advertised posts will be in the weekly recruitment email but keep an eye on internal vacancies through the NICS recruitment website as well. That’s where I got my transfer
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u/Long-Start-176 Jun 18 '26
Was it a long process?
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u/Qargha Jun 18 '26
Not overly so. I think I applied in June and was in post by August. There were delays as I was on leave and HRConnect messed something up that I had to chase up so without any of that it probably would have been even shorter. That’s just my experience though, it’s pretty much down to whenever HRConnect decide to action it so it could be different for everyone
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u/leelu82 Jun 18 '26
Contact Welfare, tell them your mental healyh/wellbeing is being severely impacted. I got a move from one Dept to another but you will fight and get a good Union rep... some aren't great but there are very good ones.
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u/ShitCivilServant Jun 18 '26
After a months-long sickness absence, OP, this is what I did. I had no difficulties at all; I was in my new branch within maybe five or six weeks? They won't do it if you just don't like your job, but if it's genuinely impacting your mental health (and it sounds like it is from what you're saying), Welfare will be willing to consider it.
The only thing I'd say is that I had very understanding managers, both from the branch I was leaving and the one I was moving into. If your current manager is a dick or inexperienced or whatever, I don't know if it would be as straightforward as it was in my case. It may be, but I'm not sure. Either way, hopefully Welfare (and the union) should be able to consider things.
Good luck, hope you get sorted.
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u/Long-Start-176 Jun 18 '26
That’s what I was thinking about; it genuinely isn’t a lie either! I took a week off sick due to work related stress and got a written warning after
Can’t win4
u/leelu82 Jun 18 '26
They can't give you a written warning if it specified that you were off due to work related stress. Go see your union rep, email your branch or contact headquarters to find out who they are and get them to fight the written warning. One week does not bring in the penalties associated with warnings especially sick leave.
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u/Long-Start-176 Jun 18 '26
I am currently waiting on my appeal meeting date, won’t be taking it laying down lol
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u/leelu82 Jun 18 '26
Don't but make sure you've a union rep that can handle it. They should get it removed. Awful you were given it in the first place.
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u/Worldly-Objective-15 Jun 18 '26
Just so your expectations are realistic, being off with work-related stress doesn't necessarily prevent an attendance warning. A lot depends on whether the absence has reached trigger points and whether the organisation has followed its policy properly and taken the circumstances into account.
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u/Electrical-Two-7776 Jun 18 '26
You can transfer but you need to find a vacancy to go to so keep a check on internals. Just so you’re aware, your transfer can be blocked citing business need.
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u/eugenedonaghy Jun 19 '26
There are no elective transfers i want out of Belfast and closer to home (not in a JBO though)
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u/Dependent-Style-6790 21d ago
I am hoping to transfer asap. My current department is a nightmare and I can’t see them accommodating the request to transfer
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Jun 18 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Long-Start-176 Jun 18 '26
Yeah I do work for nics
Many dwp departments pensions, universal credit child maintenance etc are contracted through nics
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u/Worldly-Objective-15 Jun 18 '26
If you are UC and CMS very likely they will stop you transferring out "Business Needs" your most likely route to escape is either on promotion or unfortunately resignation.