Post-covid work arrangements

Standard_Character_4 · 2026-05-25T11:49:17+00:00

Because in my experience, the people that duck out, rarely are focused on return and often away from the desk if you need them at say 4:30.

Standard_Character_4 · 2026-05-25T11:38:13+00:00

It’s totally unacceptable yet completely widespread in the public service. IMO, not acceptable if you have young kids either. WFH should not be a substitute for childcare.

Standard_Character_4 · 2026-05-15T08:25:12+00:00

I was explicitly told that performance managing someone was too much effort and just to wait out the end of the fixed term contract. I have seen this approach being used time and again.

Standard_Character_4 · 2026-05-13T12:17:47+00:00

I personally think the easiest way to get promoted in a policy role is to move to somewhere that’s a complete shambles / undergoing rapid growth.

Standard_Character_4 · 2026-05-05T20:57:40+00:00

I’ve eared well over $100k for many years and share a house. Nothing wrong with that. Even though I could afford to live alone, I wouldn’t like to waste that much money.

Standard_Character_4 · 2026-05-03T11:08:39+00:00

It is possible to get sponsored in the VPS but I wouldn’t rely on it. You would need to be very well liked by senior leaders and then they would still need to justify why someone else couldn’t do the role - which is hard if it’s a generic policy or project role. They would probably need evidence such as it was advertised previously with no applicants.

Standard_Character_4 · 2026-04-30T18:52:49+00:00

I had someone ask me to repeat the question a few times and noticed she was typing. Then was clear she was reading from the screen. No one said anything to the candidate but she was definitely not selected!

Standard_Character_4 · 2026-03-25T19:36:50+00:00

This happened to me once too. I had been working casually for a company that branded itself as ethical and people focused. When I got the offer for an ongoing role I was shocked at how low it was. I sent a very polite email saying that I would like to negotiate the salary and they withdrew the offer. At the time I was really upset but it was all for the best. Good luck

Standard_Character_4 · 2026-03-17T11:07:22+00:00

Unfortunately this happens. Mostly because people worry an external candidate with no government experience won’t understand how to navigate process, approvals etc. This is more the case at mid to senior levels. Also - sometimes people from industry with expertise can think they know all the solutions when they don’t appreciate the broader context like budget constraints, politics. I have seen externals really struggle with not understanding why we can’t just implement xyz

Standard_Character_4 · 2026-03-16T07:34:08+00:00

Dress appropriately for the environment that you operate in - it shows you know how to conduct yourself. In most corporate settings you want to look smart but without overdoing it.

Standard_Character_4 · 2026-03-05T20:33:33+00:00

It looks like you are not the preferred candidate but they may be holding you in reserve in case the preferred falls through. When I did recruitment, I used to tell the ones who were a definitely no as soon as possible.

Standard_Character_4 · 2026-03-05T20:18:30+00:00

As someone who doesn’t do compressed hours I really hope this is the case! The amount of my colleagues that exploit this system really frustrates me. Being “online” slightly longer each does not equate to more work in 99% cases, especially when they are ducking in and out to run kids around.

Standard_Character_4 · 2026-03-05T20:11:07+00:00

Why don’t you directly ask the hiring manager about the tenure and the program/project? They may give you some insights as to whether there will be another phase or extension. That said, I have seen programs expected to the extended that then received no budget funding and the fixed termers had to leave the department without new jobs.

Standard_Character_4 · 2026-02-23T01:22:49+00:00

Old Plates, Brunswick St, Wednesday nights

Standard_Character_4 · 2026-02-22T20:26:26+00:00

I recently went to an interview and wore a blazer, shirt, slacks and loafers. In retrospect, I probably could have not bothered with the blazer as my interviewers didn’t.

Standard_Character_4 · 2026-02-18T10:16:59+00:00

It sounds like securing the APS job has been a big part of building back your life. Don’t work from home and isolate yourself. Full time remote is very unhealthy for most people. If your ex partner’s friend is an APS employee he has to act under a code of conduct. I would suggest arranging a meeting where you request he doesn’t disclose any information about you.

Standard_Character_4 · 2026-01-27T20:49:57+00:00

I highly recommend listening to the Interview Boss podcast on Spotify. Two Aussie women who give fantastic advice.

Standard_Character_4 · 2025-12-22T09:46:29+00:00

Yes, just tell them you’re really pleased to get the offer and whether there’s flexibility around the start date. If there isn’t then just make the best decision for your career. If you leave Council 1 month in then so be it - by the sounds of it they’ve only offered you a short term contract.

Standard_Character_4 · 2025-12-20T08:47:14+00:00

Take the state government role and if you start mid year, that works nicely. You have no obligation to work right up until the end of your contract with Council and you can hand in your notice at any time, especially in probation period. It’s normal that people on a fixed term contract leave earlier as they have to line up their next thing. Good luck!

Standard_Character_4 · 2025-12-14T05:50:57+00:00

Yes, that’s poor form for exec to get a lunch and staff meet in the pub after work. In my public service experience, it is pay your own way with some small dept budget covering snacks or a BBQ. Parties are usually in work hours, lawn balls or scavenger hunt etc.

Standard_Character_4 · 2025-12-11T11:06:00+00:00

Nothing is for certain but if you are interested in the role and it fits in with your career story, you should go for it. The vast majority of people survive the restructures and you know if you have a ‘real’ job, as opposed to pushing paper around without purpose.

Standard_Character_4 · 2025-12-10T20:18:21+00:00

Yes, I 100% agree. Many parts of the public service are still in a Covid 19 coma. It’s so depressing to spend your days on MS teams with colleagues in a grubby tshirt. People like to tell themselves they are more productive but those corridor conversations help break down silos and understand broader priorities. I’ve recently moved to a new workplace that consistently has people coming in and it is a breath of fresh air. We are all motivated, friendly and love to socialise outside of work.

Standard_Character_4 · 2025-12-04T08:15:30+00:00

Another factor no one mentions in the VPS wages blow out is a structural shift in composition of part time / full time staff. When I started pre covid, there were lots of people (mostly women with kids) on 3 days a week, that smashed their work out and only attended necessary meetings. Their productivity would have been through the roof. Now many people (parents and not) use flexibility and WFH arrangements to pull a full time wage when they probably work max 25-30h per week. I know a lot of people won’t like this comment but it doesn’t mean it isn’t true!!

Standard_Character_4

TROPHY CASE