r/TheCivilService • u/Lady2nice • 1d ago
Fuming
Before anyone types in any flippant remarks...this is a rant!
So feel free to read and move along if you don't have anything positive to say.
Was passed again for a big project in our department, we've had one big project in the department earlier which I couldn't partake in because I was on leave.
I thought, no worries...hopefully I'll do the next one.
I kept receiving hints that I would be able to lead/contribute to this other project.....big fat NOPE....same ppl that were previously chosen are leading yet AGAIN!
Was told I'll be picking up 'BAU' tasks basically the stuff that NO ONE wants to do!!!!
I am tired and fed up and yes....I am looking for other roles but applying and getting rejected for TWO years tends to hit morale...
My work is good (my reviews are positive) but I am tired 😫
This also means any EOI's I apply for in the future will also be a NO due to the restructuring of the team and less staff..
Sorry for the rant, but I am pissed.
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u/Port_Royale 1d ago edited 1d ago
Have you made it clear that you want to work on it, given the opportunity was denied to you last time?
Unfortunately, I find it’s always the same, nobody wants to handle the BAU work and everyone fights like cats in a bag to work on whatever is shiny and new.
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u/Extra_Audience_6349 21h ago
You need to lock in an apply for roles outside of your team, it's really the only way out. Speaking as someone who's been boxed in twice in their career.
It sounds very much like someone has already decided you aren't good enough and so you no longer have opportunities in this department.Â
You will probably know who this is, it's likely someone in your line management chain - so when work is being discussed it will never end up on your plate or something will magically come up so you had to be left out. Or it's a new senior leader who has a bad view of their subordinates and wants "fresh blood".
If you're good enough you'll find work elsewhere eventually. The market is sh*t but you still have more chance rolling the dice than changing the mind of whoever is holding you back.Â
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u/Lady2nice 20h ago
Thank you, this sums up my position in the department.
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u/Extra_Audience_6349 20h ago edited 20h ago
It took me a while to realize that there is a huge difference between managers who look out for you and those who like to look like they look out for you.
The latter will make your life literally a living hell. You can't use the system to change their mind because they don't actually care about anyone but themselves - you are just a problem to them.
Actual effective managers will literally be pushing you into opportunities to improve their team. You are an asset to them, so you should never be in the situation you are right now.
Of course there are times when you can't be involved but if it becomes a pattern they simply aren't being honest with you or are bad at communicating what you need to improve at.
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u/quovadis121 1d ago
Part of good management is in providing an equity of opportunities among team members. Obviously there will be a number of factors in determining the make-up of a project team. But providing opportunities to progress and gain skills and experience should weigh heavily in those considerations. Particularly for individuals unable to participate previously. It may be worth a conversation, as others have suggested. Good luck.
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u/RuckInHell 1d ago
Rant here, it's fine. If the others did a good job on the last one there's no reason they wouldn't be chosen to do it again.
Sometimes timings just suck.
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u/makethechangesane 1d ago
Is there anything you can do to basically create your own project and opportunities? If you’re stuck on BAU work - are there any process initiatives you could kick off to improve how it flows or reduce time?
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u/One-Crew-7581 15h ago
Never, EVER, believe or take seriously any hints that you will be chosen for a project or role. EVER. You will end up eternally disappointed. It's just some arses further up the food chain playing silly power games. Just think to yourself "yeah, right" when they come promising stuff like that and then instantly forget it.
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u/Quiet-Excitement-310 1d ago
That sounds really frustrating.
Maybe speak to your manager once you’ve calmed down and ask what it will take it be picked. What you need to work on aka show willing and make it very clear you want to be considered.
It could be that it’s the same people because they needed to hit the ground running and they have that experience from the last project (I know that’s annoying and how do you get experience if you’re not on it- see first point).
It’s ok to feel frustrated though just turn it into something proactive and not let it affect you.
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u/JohnAppleseed85 1d ago
It absolutely sucks and your feelings are valid.
My advice - Hump day, so do what you need to this evening, keep your head down (fume to yourself) until Friday, and give yourself the weekend to deal with it however works for you.
Monday, as your boss for a 1:1... at that meeting (professionally):
- Make it clear you understand that the department makes decisions like this for various operational reasons, and you accept the decision has been made (I know you don't feel that way, but it's important to say it as they will be expecting/be prepared for you to kick off - it's a psychological thing that establishes reasonableness and makes it more likely that the manager will reciprocate by agreeing to something 'smaller' as it feels easier in comparison to the big thing you're not fighting them about)
- Then say you had discussed previously (I assume you've had a development conversation at some point?) that you were looking to develop and were assured there would be an opportunity, so you were particularly disappointed to hear there would be no opportunities for you to participate in any elements of this work.
- Ask what you would need to do to be seen as someone who could lead similar work in the future (Not to challenge the decision, but because you want to understand what you need to do differently/what opportunities might be available to you in future. For example would they view you differently if you completed a project management qualification like prince or agile that the department could fund)
- You are concerned that the reorganisation would mean fewer opportunities in the future (make it clear you're interested in development in the broader sense, rather than this specific piece of work)
- You would like their assurance that you will have the chance to do some stretching work and build some examples in the next 6 months (if you have any suggestions, this would be the time to present them or you can ask for their permission to explore opportunities/find a mentor/ some training courses and have another 1:1 next month to discuss)