To take a job with the DWP even though I will lose friends

It's really easy to have "morals" when it really makes no difference to you. Take the job. I dont think it's immoral anyway. And a change of government is likely soon.

Yes, I realise that, which is why I said to the OP upthread that she should try the job and see as there are hundreds of roles. My latest post was in response to a poster asking me about my PIP claim experience.

But PIP isn't the only thing the DWP do. They also pay State Pensions and other benefits. The OP might not have anything to do with PIP.

There are some jobs that might put me off someone but civil servant definitely isn't one of them.

I only know what my closest friends do for work, it's not really something I'd talk to someone about or be interested to know.

I don’t know exactly what happens, given that I don’t work for them, but they definitely lie and twist things a lot, and cherry pick things out of what the claimant says.

The decision maker rang me up before the appeal and made a report about what I apparently said on the phone which was full of half truths with loads of 💩 mixed in to suit their narrative.

I’ve heard, anecdotally though, that decision makers can be asked to change the points awarded, I don’t know how true, but what I do know is they’re skilled at tying themselves in knots to justify refusing a claim! I couldn’t sleep well at night doing that to people.

Take the job op and look after yourself first. Dont tell anyone.

Mention of the Home Office upthread reminded me that a friend, who worked in the immigration department dealing with asylum applications, simply used to lie about her job.

She gave up telling the truth because the xenophobes would start having a go at her for letting in too many people and the more inclusive would have a go at her for turning too many applications down.

Just tell people you work for the civil service.

Your so called friend is a total dick, no one will care.

Congratulations Op. Sounds like a fantastic opportunity.

Congratulations on winning your appeal, @YoureALizardHarry11 !

I'm intrigued by this in your post upthread:

"If you’re a PIP decision maker, for instance, and your superior asks you to deduct points so a person is no longer entitled, even though you have moral objections, could you do it?"

Does this actually happen? I do a lot of PIP applications, and a fair few appeals. I also support less experienced colleagues with appeals. When I get the "bundle", the first thing I look at is the assessor's report and see if the points awarded matches the report, and it invariably does. So are DWP managers actually altering the reports made by the "independent" assessors, or are they just not awarding the points that tally with the report?

The second thing I do is compare the assessor's report to what I know about the client's difficulties and what we put on the form, and it's generally complete and utter bollocks. That's not down to the DWP though, but the companies contracted to do the assessments.

Whatever you are so outraged about is going to happen whether the OP works for them
or not.
All these friends sound rather thick to me.

There is a reason why civil servants used to be advised not to discuss their work with friends and family. It's a big enough organisation to be able to transfer to other departments once you have some experience. Many years ago I worked at what was then the DHSS and they were the worst people I've worked with across the 40 years of work. I moved to the tax office and my colleagues were delightful. Give it a go you'll soon know whether it's for you or not but I wouldn't worry about your friends, it's really not their call.

Ditto

You will be a civil servant, that's all you need to say.

My manager used to work for DWP. She now manages a team of welfare rights advisers and two welfare rights trainers!

Oh look. The OP's "friend" has popped up.
Just get over yourself. Someone has to do this job. It isn't as if the OP is a drug dealer or people trafficker which is morally reprehensible.

I agree with other posters who have said put your children first.

I've had to deal with DWP on behalf of one of my brothers. I now realise decent, polite, engaged people make all the difference even if they are unable to change the situation in terms of policies etc. Be one of those!! 😊

I couldn't do it, and I couldn't be friends with anyone who worked in the PIP department either. I'd rather live in a box.

Take the job. Congratulations on gettIng the job, that’s a really great achievement. The DWP is actually part of our welfare state. If you compare our country with most other countries, we aren’t so bad. We do actually look after those in need far better than in many other places.

Your friends are batshit, to be frank.

Congrats on the job offer! Assuming that your opinionated but wealthy friend hasn’t offered to cover your bills and living expenses indefinitely if you don’t make the move, then you absolutely should take the job.

Friends may have different views on things but they should be celebrating each other’s successes and recognising what that extra income will mean for you and your kids lives. To threaten to end the friendship would be the point where I would walk away myself.

Not to dampen your mood but just be aware that the working environment at the DWP is apparently pretty rubbish. My SIL worked there for 20+ years (until about 3-4 years ago) and the focus now is all on hitting targets; churning quickly through calls and cases. With high staff turnover levels, it often means claimants that need help get a shitty experience and usually won’t get issues sorted their first time of contacting DWP.

SIL had to leave as her MH was being badly impacted. She’d been there years, knew the job inside out and had always prided herself on helping out claimants and putting things right the correct way. But it ended up where she was getting penalised for taking too long on cases/calls and no longer felt capable of doing a good job.

She’s now working in Immigration and sadly it sounds like that service is going the same way - focus all on quick handling of asylum applications rather than properly assessing and handling the claims, under resourced teams and those that are there haven’t had the proper training. She’s hoping she may be offered redundancy in a few months time, as she should get a decent payout and can then find somewhere to work that isn’t as toxic.

Hopefully things have improved since SIL left DWP.

Oh get over yourself and stop being so judgemental! Someone has to do the work and they carry out what policymakers tell them. People have to feed their families.
When you're on your uppers then tell us you wouldn't work for the DWP!

Tell your friend, they are a hypocrite and they are the ones that are selling out

FFS

Take the job!

And well done for getting it.

Take the job

Take the job OP - and ditch any "friends" who are pathetic enough to complain. I'm sure these so-called friends won't be offering to pay your bills, therefore they get no say.