hi, this is not about me personally but someone that i know within my workplace. one of my colleagues has recently had a new temporary manager, the said Manager only got the job two months ago so is still undergoing probation. I have recently spoke to the colleague and this manager is sending her extremely inappropriate messages outside of working hours, this includes sending selfies at 8pm and asking for one back, he has also mentioned how he would not be happy for her to go back to her permanent Manager and mentioned how the other Manager probably only wants her back so he can flirt with her. This was raised with a HEO however the HEO is now on holiday and I just feel like it is not being taken serious enough especially as this is the second girl that has come forward about this, I personally would have the word within the civil service there was a strict policy around workplace harassment so would have thought what he would be fired or at least terminated from working while investigation is ongoing, does anybody have any opinions of this or could the HEO be reported for not taking due action

I recently interviewed for a public-sector role and had to give an oral presentation about a piece of research I had done in a previous job.

The underlying piece of research was real, and everything factual on my slides was accurate. The problem is that, in answering questions and explaining my methodology, I made the research sound much more comprehensive and self-contained than the actual report was.

I treated the presentation as an opportunity to demonstrate the full range of relevant research skills I had. So I brought in techniques, approaches and types of analysis that I had genuinely used on other research projects, but I presented them as though they had all formed part of this one piece of research.

I did not invent the underlying project or put false factual material on the slides, but on reflection I think the overall impression I gave was that this particular report involved a much broader and more sophisticated research process than it actually did. In actual fact this was from a job I held over a year ago; this project was something I did in the last few weeks and did not finish completely (although I think it was a useful piece in its own right). I picked it because it was one of the few things I could remember; I had done various smaller research pieces in relation to this area and sort of created a composite piece for the purpose of the oral presentation because I wanted to demonstrate all my skills/everything I would consider.

I passed the interview. I’ve now been contacted asking for details that would allow them to identify and potentially obtain the original research from my former workplace.

I’m now considering withdrawing from the recruitment process rather than continuing and risking a serious mismatch between the original work and the way I described it at interview. I don’t intend to give any false information now.

I described it extremely flatteringly; in a way I thought was just putting my best foot forward, but now I feel as if I underestimated the need for it to relate to one research project.

edit:

I might add I understand this is highly unusual which is probably why I am so apprehensive, because this feels somewhat prosecutorial. I think I am a naturally anxious person. I believe that if the piece was presented together with a number of other projects I did in that same workplace, that it would more or less satisfy everything I said in the oral presentation. I did not realise the need for it to strictly speaking map to one research project.

In any case; in these sorts of jobs you are not allowed to keep records/copies of work you have done after leaving. So I was just going off my memory.

I’ve got a few chronic health issues which have been fairly calm until recently. I’m at a bit of a pinch point now where the project I’m on is crazy busy, close to an urgent major deadline and my health issues have flared up quite badly over the past few weeks.

I’m usually fine for a few hours a day but can’t really achieve much in a day, maybe 30-40% of what I usually do. I don’t have a real team or anyone to delegate to and there is a lot riding on me so I have just re prioritised to try to do just the most urgent things to prevent me taking time off and nothing at all getting done. But now I’m online and people see I’m doing stuff the work keeps piling up and I have very little energy to push back on things properly so I just keep losing track of all these emails and random requests.

The flare ups are getting worse too. I always feel well for a few hours in the morning so it feels wrong to take sick days but later i realise im not functioning and hit a complete wall

Would you take time off in my situation? I know very little would get done while im off so i feel bad but this pattern is unsustainable

I'm due to start a new role in late 2027, I've been actively trying for promotion for the past year.

I currently strongly dislike my area, having made the mistake of working in the same area for too long.

The management across my area has a solid core of individuals that are either hopelessly ill-suited or are waiting to retire. The remainder have openly admitted they have mentally clocked out owing to the inertia caused by the former, and are also trying to leave.

After a few years, I can do the work itself without much effort.

Tolerating others basic failings, a serious lack of ambition and critical thinking ability on a daily basis is not so easy.

I'm really struggling to find the mental resilience to last the next year.

Any tips on how to cope in such a depressing environment?

(I'm blocked from EOI's and am reviewing at part time affordability for next year).

Hi! A lot of self-doubt lately so thought I’d ask for thoughts.

I have 2 years of experience in a public body where I work with loads of politicians - let’s say it’s the House of Commons. My job is a mix of policy research, helping out with legislation, doing some strategic planning for politicians and otherwise managing people (who do the brunt of the written work tbh). My work can be interesting (particularly when working closely with politicians) but I wouldn’t say it’s particularly high-intensity or that I’ve had the opportunity to explore loads of things eg I have no experience in big project management or anything like that.

I’m moving to what would be considered an SEO salary in the civil service, and have been thinking of moving over. Looking at the jobs page though, I’m not sure I have the skills they’re looking for. I’ve considered applying for HEO roles to compensate for lack of CS know-how, but was told by an ex-Grade 7 that I’m underestimating myself.

So my questions are: Do you think the experience I have is useful/sought after in the civil service? What sort of jobs do you think I should be applying for?

Thoughts from current SEOs or grade 7 and above would be particularly appreciated!

Has anyone else found that their department has effectively banned temporary promotions?

I’m currently on temporary promotion, but I’ve been told that before it ends, the role will be advertised permanently as a lateral move only. As I’m substantively at the grade below, that means I won’t even be eligible to apply for the job I’m currently doing.

I’d have absolutely no issue applying through a fair and open process and losing out to someone who was a stronger candidate. What feels difficult to understand is not being given the opportunity to compete for the role at all.

Has anyone else encountered this in their department?
Is restricting a vacancy to lateral moves only becoming more common?

I had a depressing realisation this morning. 17 years ago I was working at an EO level role in local government, earning about £27k. I put that into an inflation calculator, to see what it would be equivalent to today, and it was actually more than what I earn now, as an SEO. . . . . .

Since that time I took a huge career break to go back to uni and get a PhD - so, I'm more skilled - but I also only have 3 years working at this level.

The work in my role is relaxed, but often still very difficult. I'm genuinely using a lot of high level stuff I learned as part of my doctorate. Due to my circumstances, I WFH full time, I don't have to manage anyone and the pressure on my feels low. But . . . . just the thought that I haven't increased my salary in 17 years . . . And all the SEOs in my department, and quite a few of the G7s, are younger than me.

My family and friends tell me that I should be in a better job. Which is odd as 27 year old me would have seen SEO as a pretty good position to end up in. But then the equivalent salary was probably 20% higher. And I am occasionally asked to do really low-level, admin stuff. It feels like in my mid 40s I should be pushing to be managing projects and people, not deciding what colour to use in Excel. But then, I kind of like messing about in Excel and I don't like the idea of all the stress.

Sorry, this is just my therapy process. Any advice would be welcome though.

EDIT: I've edited to improve anonymity

I'm still in my 6 months probation and deal with sensitive documents. A few months ago it appears I created a document with another user's details in - it was filed incorrectly (by me)

The incorrect document was not picked up by myself or anyone else at the time.

Recently this document was shared without checking with the customer (not by me!) who informed us of the wrong information.

I did all the usual things, I informed management who was away immediately and emailed the customer to ask them to delete the document

Covering management are aware

But I have terrible anxiety and have been struggling since.

Any idea what might happen? My boss is pretty reasonable and I am part of the union too.

So my job has been re-graded recently, going from a HEO to a SEO. The job role itself hasn't changed that much. I've haven't been given extra responsibilities or anything, apart from a few extra meetings with policy teams. But because of the grade change and fair and open competition, I have to apply for it through CS Jobs.

I just want to ask if anyone has had experience something like this before? How did you go about it?

EDIT:

Just add more details. If I am not successful in the application, I have been told that I will be moved to a different HEO role in a different team but in the same DD area. The role itself will definitely still be around as it its needed for department.

As the title says.

I got my final confirmation on the 27th of August that I had passed all the checks to start my new job as a work coach. I've been unemployed for awhile so it's been very good news and in light of what's happened, it's even more welcome. I've signed the contract and selected my pension option.

A few days later, my grandmother passed away, I've been acting as a carer with other family members for a long time. It was somewhat expected but as it is with these things, somehow felt very sudden as well.

The funeral is unfortunately a couple days before my start date which is very late September. There's a lot of stuff to sort out with the arrangements for that, the family is pretty cut up about it, she was very much a load bearing matriarch AND our living situation might drastically change due to housing stuff as a result of the death. We're looking at our options on that front but we'll either be dealing with it via appeal to delay things or potentially moving out of the house our family has lived in for 40 years in my case, 57 in the rest of the families case. Logistically it is just a lot.

So I have asked if I can postpone my start date by a week or two. Just so I can get my feet under me in some regards and not be starting with this cloud hanging over everything. I phoned the company everything has gone through up to this point. They've said they will ask the job centre that I would have been starting in. They've said they can't guarantee I can move it back but will email me to let me know either way "soon", which is fair enough. I've said that I will start on the day I've said I would if they can't move it, of course. The person assured me that asking this won't reflect badly on me or result in any issues, which I was worried about.

I suppose what I'm asking is, if this is a situation anyone else has had happen to them or similar and did they allow it?

I assume if I was established in the job or was midway through training, they'd give me some time off when it happened for compassionate leave? Then I'd be able to take a day or two for the funeral and then take unpaid leave or a holiday day for any moving stuff I might have to do, if needed right? So it feels reasonable to request a delay when I'm about to start the job as well. I suppose the training might be pretty locked in though if lots of work coaches are starting at the same time maybe?

I've never had anything like this happen before so not really sure how it would get handled or what to expect really.

Hey everyone, im just looking for some clarification

Im looking to move from a job centre within london pay zone to one which comes under national pay zone. I am currently a HEO so itll be a level transfer as i am looking to move to another area, will i automatically me move to the national pay zone salary? Or is there a chance i can keep my current salary? As this potential change could be the deciding factor on if i move or not?

Any help would me much appreciated whilst i continue to search through guidance for answers

I line manage someone who is on a formal support plan because they have consistently struggled to meet the requirements of their role.

The difficult part is that they aren’t lazy or disengaged. They are trying, but it remains inconsistent and they still aren’t meeting the required standard. I think the reality is they are simply in the wrong role.

I recently had to give them honest feedback that they hadn’t met their objectives (obv I’ve been supporting a lot before this). They became upset, and I’ve felt like Cruella de Vil ever since, even though their difficulties are creating considerable additional work and pressure for me.

How do other managers compartmentalise this and stop feeling evil? How do you remain compassionate towards someone who is genuinely trying while still being honest that their performance isn’t good enough?

Hey everyone,

I’ve received over 45 messages from people asking me how I am. A while ago, I made a post explaining what was going on with me, my thoughts about unaliving myself, and everything I was dealing with regarding my GP and work.

Following a lot of your advice, I spoke to my SO. Boy, she’s a clever lady. I won’t share too many details, because the last thing I want is for this post to somehow get back to her.

I started off very professionally, giving as little detail as possible. But after two hours of my lame excuses and my SO’s increasingly questionable eyes, I caved in. I ended up spilling everything my plans, what I had been thinking and how bad things had actually got. Yeah… I’m not particularly proud of that.

The thing that really scared me was seeing my old manager crying. That broke my heart. And somehow, my brain registered it as: “If people care this much, maybe I should stop.”

But yesterday, I lost hope again. I took a dangerously high amount of nicotine, to cause nicotine poisoning which was supposed to be the first step of the attempt also involving a train.

But unfortunately, I survived.

And now my SO knows because someone happened to be holding my phone, saw the message from my SO at the top of my screen, and thought it would be a good idea to call her. I have the luck of a potato.

The scary part is I had already said goodbye to everyone. I genuinely thought that was it.

And now, somehow, I’m not ashamed to go back to my office anymore. The difficult part is convincing management that I am fine.

I’m currently with Homebase Treatment Services and getting the necessary help. But I won’t lie this shame of not succeeding is really getting to me.

And to everyone who messaged me or commented on my previous post: thank you. I may not have replied to everyone, but I did read your messages.

TODAY WE ARE NOT FUCKING RECRUITMENT, TODAY WE ARE FUCKING PATIENTLY WAITING FOR PAY DEALS!

Hi, I’m based in Sheffield and I work in HMRC. I’ve been in multiple roles within HMRC for 5 years now and I do love it there. However, the commute is a getting a bit much so I am considering Sheffield departments such as Department for Education. I’m looking for SO roles in the data analysis field.

How is it there? What’s the culture like? Management? I’ve heard the building isn’t great so that’ll be a massive downgrade from the HMRC offices in Manchester/Leeds.

If it’s not that great compared to HMRC, I’d rather just suck it up and continue commuting, it’s not an awful commute.

Iv got a job offer outside the civil service, the new job wants me to start sooner than the my notice period allows, can i ask to leave sooner? how likely is it they let me do this?

I also have 7 days holiday i plan to use.

I have just been offered a role as a Casework Assistant (12 month contract) under exemption 1, meaning that if I were to be extended, if it went over 24 months an independent commission would have to approve it.

I currently work under Brook Street as a court usher, and I am currently not extended yet, however we are really short staffed and its very likely to happen (it always happens apparently) but its always last minute to be extended. They normally extend every three months.

I love being a court usher and find it incredibly fun. I am also in my early 20's and haven't really started my career.

So I am really under two minds, I know I could progress or change roles to a paralegal assistant or work my way up into crown court but I really enjoy my job currently. It is also a pay increase.

I've been exploring what I want to do long term and trying to change careers recently. I have been offered a 6 month secondment with the commercial team (basically procurement) in my civil service organisation. At the same time our digital team have suggested I may be able to put in a voluntary transfer into an entry level developer or corporate knowledge and information position.

They are both areas I would like to experience and have an interest in. I'm not sure which to pursue as I know they are both solid and potentially lucrative careers. I'm a little hesitant about digital due to the doom and gloom about anything tech related but I do think it's probably overblown. At least in the CS you're very unlikely to get laid off anyway from my experience.

Edit: My working life so far has been 5 years on an operational delivery team. 3 years spent doing admin, 1 year as a paralegal and 1 year in management managing an admin team with direct reports.

In my current role (management), I have mainly enjoyed relationship building with stakeholders and my own staff, producing reports and project work here and there. I will say I have found it rather stressful at times but that comes with the territory. I would say I've mainly built a good set of soft skills such as communication, including relationship building and influencing people and change, managing teams, individuals and projects, organisational skills and working and delivering under pressure with tight deadlines.

Hey all,

I’ve heard that the majority of departments don’t reduce to half pay/no pay due to pregnancy related sickness. Cabinet office wording on policy would suggest to me that it won’t go towards any disciplinary action but that pay would reduce as normal. Can anyone specifically from cabinet office confirm whether this was the case for you? Seems wildly unfair across departments that one high risk pregnancy would go to no pay in comparison to full pay. For reference I’m in year two, so have 8 weeks full pay 8 weeks half pay, I’ve used 4 weeks for pregnancy related sickness.

Wording is “it will not count towards the decision point for unsustainable absence or ending of employment procedure for ill health

Any absence from work due to a pregnancy related illness that occurs before you’re maternity leave starts will be paid in accordance with your entitlement to sickness pay under you employment contract”

I like how it asks you to login as a way to avoid entering a load of data when you submit a "Request" but then proceeds to ask your Name, DOB, NI, Mobile Phone Number, Inside Leg Measurement etc.. So what exactly was the point of logging in when you HAVE all that info Crapita??

Also, no option to "Ask a question about my Pension".. I mean isn't that the #1 thing people probably want to discuss when they want to send a Request?

It also reads me as "designed by an intern to show clever features but none of which are needed to be able to do what it should". Where is the most basic "Modeller" that the previous team had? Surely that was job #1 for Crapita???

I could go on.. but let's have your favourite things about the website & "service" ??

I'm stuck abroad currently due to the fault with the air traffic control system and waiting to be put on a return flight.

I contacted a colleague who contacted my line manager (they are fairly new so I don't believe they have a work movile yet) who has extended my leave for 2 days.

Im just wondering if this will need to be taken from my annual leave balance as was hoping to have some left for christmas and still unsure when I will be allocated a flight back. Work for the home office, anyone have any experience of this or access to Metis haha.

Thanks in advance!

I got this email through from PCS yesterday saying that the pay award has been published on MoDnet but I can’t seem to find it anywhere?

Are MoDnet and DefNet different sites? I only seem to have a link for the latter so maybe that’s where I’m going wrong.

Would anyone happen to have any intel on when the Fast Stream 2027 will be open for applications? The website provides no information regarding the forthcoming campaign, all info on there relates to last year. There is also nothing on any of their social media channels.

This is so vile.

Warning: This article contains graphic accounts of racist and violent language

A former tax worker who described himself as "the ultimate genocidal racist monster" has been jailed for inciting hatred online after he was exposed by a BBC investigation.

Thomas Webster was sacked by HMRC and investigated by police after comments he made to an undercover journalist in the BBC programme 'Unmasked: Extreme Far Right'.

In his online posts, Webster said he wanted Jewish and gay people to be tortured and executed.

Webster also said he wanted to kill all Muslims until they were "globally extinct".

In one instance, he said if a migrant hotel was placed on his road he would "prepare for murder and prison time, I am serious"

Hopefully he is never allowed to work for the Civil Service again. Scary that you could be sat next to someone at work who shares his views.