To consider a Grade 7 CS post in my current situation?

Thanks kindly- maybe a non starter then on bottom of range

You are not mad, I moved into the CS at 43 and I don't regret it! But..... Forget the range they shouldn't use them as they are basically worthless. You get the government mandated payrise each year, but there is no going up the range as such for long service, or good performance. I really don't understand why they still use them in advertising. Standard CS behaviour is to get a new starter on the bottom of what's advertised, unless you have a good case for higher range placement, but I think that's pretty unusual.

I’ve been looking at a G7 civil service post and there’s a salary range- can anyone help with how wide the range is- ie how many years til the top of range?

also - am I made to consider moving across to CS at age 46?!

I'm a G6 at the mo. I had 2 G7 posts and they were very different - one was in a very high profile time sensitive policy area and was stay til it gets done, theoretically you can have the time back but there's never time for that.... the second was never more than standard working hours.

It depends so much on the department, the work area, not all G7 jobs are made equal! Before you accept a role ask questions about the way it works in that particular team. Anything that's described in the job ad as "high ministerial priority" or "flagship government policy" is highly likely to be a high pressure melting pot of miserable extra hours under extreme scrutiny - I avoid those like the plague these days, although they look good on the CV.

It also depends a lot on the person - two of my three G7s seem to think they are absolutely indispensable and work all the hours god sends and don't take the time back despite me pressing them to. Their workloads don't require it, I've no idea what they spend the extra time on to be honest. You can lead a horse to water and all that, I speak to them about it at least once a month but they never change. One of them thinks this is how you show you are going "above and beyond", but it is not.

I work what looks like a lot of extra hours because I travel a lot (and often get landed with extra projects I can't decline and are genuinely additional to my formal workload) but I also take the time back, so I've had 2 out of 3 weeks off at Xmas as TOIL. I find that's easier than trying to work a shorter week or take the odd day off here and there, I'm lucky our policy (and my manager!) allows that tho.

I’m a 7 and I work compressed hours, taking a NWD every Friday. Naturally this means I work longer days, and I do occasionally pick up work on a Friday or work later in the evening if I’m particularly busy. I do feel pressure to do this, as I work almost exclusively with senior civil servants/their offices, and they expect things to get done. However, the flip side to this is that in a quieter week I’ll log off slightly earlier or take a longer lunch break, so there is still scope for flexibility.

For me, in very busy times, I'll not do more than 4-5 hours extra a week which I will log as flexi. I don't do it for free! I do have colleagues (SEOs and G7s) who will work until late evening or cancel their days off. That's never been at the behest of the G6 though who has definitely never asked any of us to do that. Like the poster said above, it can be a personal rather than a grade expectation.

I'm G7 and work a standard week. I do see colleagues working likely well over their standard hours, but I think that can be a person thing rather than a grade expectation. I just never played that game, I don't work for free, and I manage my time appropriately.
Could be a departmental culture issue, surprising how different departments have different expectations.
I don't have kids, I never noticed a difference in expectations.

I'm a G7 in Commercial. I see more G6s working excessive hours than fellow G7s tbf.

I have worked in local government for 22 years and was on a Grade 8 for a long time, before being promoted. If your full time hours are 37 hours per week, then this is all you are legally obliged to work.

I have during busy periods done 10-12 hour days, but this was short term to achieve deadlines.

If people allow a culture in their workplace of giving free labour, what employer is going to refuse. Over the years it has become apparent, that if teams sick together and don't allow themselves to be taken advantage of then it won't happen. However, this also means people need to graft hard while their on the clock and not take the piss, but that's a whole other post lol.

Agree that generally speaking those without children would be daft to take their leave (if planning holidays etc) at the busiest and most expensive time, so it all tends to pan out. The exception is of course Christmas. However, in both places I’ve worked, it’s been made v clear that everyone is on a level playing field, and rightly so.

I don’t know much about commercial and procurement. I’m a CS lawyer, now grade 6. I don’t work anything like the hours your friend does, although I’ve noticed a step up in expectations in terms of flexibility and “doing what needs to be done”. At grade 7 for me it was quite clear that you didn’t work when you were meant to be off etc. That said it was a different department

Yes - if you don't have children then taking annual leave at the busiest and most expensive time would be crazy (unless your partner is a teacher or something).

My experience has spanned a few different orgs within the NHS, private sector, and CS - I'm childfree and have always felt that my workload is is equivalent to others at my grade. I take my annual leave outside school holidays, but that's because holidays are cheaper then!

My experience re those who have children and those who don’t is completely opposite to a pps. My experience is that civil service managers (at whatever level) and HR are scrupulous in making sure there isn’t different treatment of those with or without caring obligations

Yes, I did suspect this might be the case.

Not in mine. I've worked in a few public sector orgs where everyone worked crazy hours, and I've worked my current role where everyone works sensible hours. I have never worked somewhere where being childfree meant I got dumped on. I'd advise you to change jobs if that is what's happening.