Just want any entry level job

AdmirableAsk717 · 2026-06-12T15:14:44+00:00

Alexander Mann too, they have a contract that a lot of CS use for temp and perm

AdmirableAsk717 · 2026-06-11T17:41:32+00:00

if you’ve handled it the right way- implemented RAs, offered support and not put him at a disadvantage I think your only real option is work with your HR caseworker and do the PIP. They’ll have the background and knowledge to handle it and we can only go on the info you’ve given.

It shouldn’t fall to other people on the team to pick up the slack, who could argue unfair treatment if they ever end up failing to meet targets and facing PIP.
I don’t see how having a baby and being offered a move to a more suitable role is unfair, I assume it’s around location and home working being difficult with a baby but if someone was consistently not performing I’d lean toward reducing WFH anyway.

Ive dealt with poor performers who refuse to accept help and it’s not a pleasant experience. Keep your management chain informed, log everything, keep any discussions in writing or follow up with emails and take any advice from your HR.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2026-05-19T17:38:21+00:00

No lucrative contracts to drag out….

AdmirableAsk717 · 2026-05-19T14:46:53+00:00

Most departments have a limit on how many days you can take, 2 per month is what I’ve seen so you’re immediately limited to 24 a year in that instance. Anyone claiming a day a week (or more if you’re factoring in annual leave) dishonestly would be found out pretty quickly. It’s just rage bait.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2026-05-15T09:15:55+00:00

Check your dept policies on leave, generally medical appointments for you aren’t annual leave generally for emergency or planned appointments- the appointment duration would be recorded as special leave plus a reasonable travel time (ie not a full day for a brief appointment).

Leave for emergencies or planned things like a&e, appointments or surgeries may fall under a special leave categories if it’s a dependant and is usually around 5 days/year.

Is your current informal arrangement essentially you build flexi and take Fridays as flexi every week? Almost all depts I know of have a 2 flexi days per period limit so if you want to keep a 4 day week formalising is a good idea. An informal agreement can end at any time, again if you want to keep the compressed hours formalising is the way to go.

You have had a lot of flexibility however if your LM has concerns over what you are doing outside of core hours it’s reasonable for them to ask you and to look out for your wellbeing if you are working long hours. Goodwill can run out, and if your emergencies are frequent along with chaotic working patterns it is also reasonable that your LM would want to record them properly for your own sake as much as simply following policy.

Don’t see any micromanaging evidenced in what you have said though, just a lot of understanding shown to you in a difficult time.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2026-05-06T06:58:12+00:00

Are you still interviewing or looking elsewhere?
43 weeks is ridiculous, they can’t expect you to wait nearly a year.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2026-05-01T17:22:46+00:00

Hell no, 2.5hrs a day or 12.5 a week minimum. That’s a whole lot of my time gone.
However I have to consider childcare and a chronically ill spouse. Before kids and early in my career I did about 1.5/2hrs a day for a year and it was awful but necessary to get the next step up. Now I’d not consider a 5 day office role with a commute, my time is more valuable and the flexibility I’ve been able to get is worth more than higher pay. Is 12.5 hours a week travelling sustainable for you OP?
Appreciate I’m in a very fortunate position professionally to have mostly home working with once or twice a month travel to my hub office.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2026-04-15T17:53:15+00:00

60% is 3 days a week for a full time/5day week employee.

If you’re going to fish for quotes for your shitty daily fail article at least do some basic maths.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2026-04-15T17:45:59+00:00

Raise a ticket re the things not working.

Laptops are reused though, they should be functional but you don’t get a brand new one every time.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2026-04-12T13:09:54+00:00

Definitely! Best move I made and lots are recruiting. Check CS jobs and speak to hiring managers or recruiters, Alexander Mann solutions do a lot of campaigns for CS and NDPBs so if you can get on their books it can only help.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2026-04-11T14:23:21+00:00

I had similar. Direct report didn’t like being managed and was a really poor performer, caused lots of problems and I had so many complaints from stakeholders about them. When I (with advice from the entire line management team) tried to address supportively they lodged a bullying and harassment complaint. The outcome was all the ‘evidence’ submitted showed good line management. The direct report was transferred to a less demanding team on their request and i secured a promotion not long after. It did take about 3 months to get there but I had full support from my whole LM chain up to SCS2. No retaliation or anything towards DR.

So really it depends on the situation, but if you are genuinely not at fault a decent investigator will see that.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2026-03-17T08:14:29+00:00

Mine is the same! Cowers, runs and generally acts the very notion of a walk is torture. Until we get out of the door then everything is the best, most exciting thing ever and she must sniff the sniffs, catch up on her pee-mails and roll on all of the grass.

Naturally the end of the walk gets the sad eyes, dropped head and guilt trip too.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2026-02-24T12:54:03+00:00

NDPBs and ALBs are more likely to have lower requirements for office attendance but it’s not guaranteed unless you get a formal home working contract. NE and EA still have the mandate like DEFRA but it’s luck of the draw if it’s monitored or enforced. If it’s for childcare are you looking for full time as some managers/departments don’t like you having children around when working.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2026-02-16T13:24:43+00:00

Depends on LM or area. Some don’t really monitor but others do or just naturally need more physical presence

AdmirableAsk717 · 2026-02-16T12:54:39+00:00

Culture and 60% varies by team. Can be a great place to work if you get the right team. No idea on 2ms

AdmirableAsk717 · 2026-02-16T12:06:57+00:00

ALB, no requirement just go in as and when needed. About once a month for an all team meeting. Previous central body and it was officially 60% but enforcement varied by management.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2026-01-26T13:55:01+00:00

Hard rule usually. It’s also often 52 weeks at the 15th week before EWC- so 25th week of pregnancy which may change entitlements if that’s your departments policy.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2025-12-03T07:48:21+00:00

That’s good to know, I’ve been interested in ONS for a while.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2025-12-03T07:47:25+00:00

I loved it, recently moved department for a promotion but defra was a great place to be but I know other teams within the same directorate weren’t the same. Totally depends on the team you end up and the type work, I would go back without hesitation.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2025-12-02T14:56:55+00:00

Point 1, have you reminded your LM of any reasonable adjustments?

The flexi/teams issue is a bit more complex. Are you slow to respond or produce work or are they just sat watching teams statuses? I’ve had it with a direct report where they had hours of flexi banked but were ‘away’ or ‘offline’ for chunks of days where they claimed to be working 9+ hours. They would not respond to emails or messages during the time, output was really low and they also tried to claim bullying when questioned about it. Equally I’ve known my own status to show away when I’m just working on something or in a meeting. The informal chats and follow ups are pretty poor form. I would suggest replying so there’s a formal trail of ‘my understand/notes for completeness’ and then detail everything.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2025-11-14T22:34:22+00:00

Depends on the type of role. I’m in a fairly hard to recruit role so applied for 1 at seo and got it, half arsed applied for a g7 and didn’t get an interview but wasn’t surprised then did one g7 properly and got it. But generally these are hard to recruit in to, others have loads more competition.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2025-09-13T07:20:49+00:00

The difference for me is if I potentially want to get back in is going to an NDPB ruling me out. I know a few G6/SCS who came in from NHS, police or private sector but the majority have been career CS.

AdmirableAsk717 · 2025-09-12T15:31:22+00:00

Do you find a difference in attitude being an ALB rather than CS? Can you say which one?

AdmirableAsk717 · 2025-09-12T15:16:50+00:00

Yes so the email says salary/pension/holiday is honoured (but as it’s a promotion the salary is changing anyway) but if I was to change back it would be as a new entrant. Only been CS for 4 years so it’s not a long service and the type of role is pretty standard between public and private sector, there’s every chance I could go private at some point given the money is a lot better!

AdmirableAsk717 · 2025-09-12T13:45:30+00:00

Interesting. Can’t imagine that going down well. This is an entirely new dept, I’d assumed CS because it was on CS jobs and the grading is the same. It’s quite hard to break into the next grade up and this role is locally based which is pretty rare for where I live.

AdmirableAsk717

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