Any civil servants about? Moving government departments whilst in probation period?

[Alm1986]

Hi all. If any civil servants are about I'd appreciate their views on this one.

I'm still in the probation period of a job I started in July with a government department. A vacancy within a different government department has come up which looks like a really good opportunity. If I was successful, I'd have been in current role for 13 months before leaving. (It's a graduate scheme so September start date).

I'm assuming that it would be frowned upon to apply whilst in probation?

I really would like to go for it, but as it's a grad scheme I know the competition is fierce. I don't want to lose the trust / faith of my manager for something which I might not get past the first sift, but equally, don't want to miss an opportunity.

Any views appreciated.

[Polarbearflavour]

I’m naughty but I applied for stuff in my probationary period and I still do - without telling my manager!

[Alm1986]

How do you manage it?

I'm very probably reading civil service jobs incorrectly but I'm sure it said it would email my manager each I submit an application?

[Polarbearflavour]

I just out in my own email. But I’m a rebel so... I really don’t give a monkeys any more!

[Polarbearflavour]

Plus you know we have DMs and FDOs so which one are you meant to put in the LM email?

Feign ignorance my friend!

[StealthPolarBear]

I thought your line manager had to verify your civil service jobs account. Something like that

[Polarbearflavour]

I didn’t have a line manager when I started so no email to enter in except my own. Shame.

[YouFightLikeADairyFarmer]

If it’s a grad scheme (HMRC?) and presumably open to external applicants, there shouldn’t be a problem with you applying on probation if you have the right qualifications.

Depending on the relationship you have with your manager though, I’d tell them. If one of my team wants to move on or is applying for other jobs, I offer to help them with their application, coach them for interviews/assessments etc. People move around all the time in the central departments, it’s not a big deal. I’d be disappointed/unimpressed if one of my team announced they were leaving out of the blue without ever mentioning to me they were thinking about it - your manager would probably appreciate the honesty.

[Polarbearflavour]

YouFightLikeADairyFarmer - you sound like a good manager.

Most in the CS, are not. Mine are so unapproachable and unhelpful they blocked a managed move. I applied for an external CS job but in the same Department. Doing something completely different and at a different site.

My managers haven’t said anything to me about me moving but I’ve seen emails and heard conversations - so they know!

[Alm1986]

Thank you both.

My line manager is off at the moment but I'll discuss when they are back. (And perhaps claim I only saw it whilst they were off).

Yes it's the HMRC grad scheme, although the other post on this forum isn't too positive lol.

It would be easier and cheaper for me to get to their site assuming I was successful and got the first choice location.

[BinRaidingRaccoon]

Grad scheme will be fine, it's external. Good luck, my first LM there kicked the fuck off at me for applying before my minimum post duration (2 years). She was a cow and no-one went to her retirement.

[Polarbearflavour]

I just do my own thing and apply for whatever I want. They don’t show any interest or concern for me so why should I be loyal? It’s just a job at the end of the day and the only loyalty I have is to myself.