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Original poster

To accept civil service job

39 replies

LanaL · 25/06/2024 17:09

I am a teacher . I hate it. I work supply at the moment. This can be a take home of £500 per week , if I work every day . I don’t get paid during the holidays , bank holidays , teacher training days , or if I’m sick. I’m currently in a long term role so at present every day is guaranteed but this won’t be the case in September .

I have been offered a role in the CS as a customer service rep for HMRC on the telephone. The take home is £1650 a month ( ish ) and it has a great pension .

I could earn £1850 a month in a full permanent role as a teacher . I don’t know what the effect on my mental health would be though as I left my last as I couldn’t handle it and I’m on a long term now and I feel like I’m just desperately trying to reach the holidays all the time . I’m exhausted ,

I don’t know what to do .

As it stands I have to work 2 days per week in the holidays to make the extra . But I still have 3 days per week with my children. I won’t have that with the CS but I will have annual leave and I can work from home 2 days per week .

This is a guaranteed income every month . But my whole years take home would be more in supply - but , this doesn’t account for days off sick , bank holidays etc . The job I have in the holidays is not WFH and long days , it’s also not available in the Christmas holidays .

I don’t know what to do .

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
MumofCandR · 25/09/2026 06:01

Pension is worth it and closes any real gap income wise. At 39 and no pension I would take the CS job for sure. Also lots of future opportunities.

Welshgirl88 · 25/09/2026 05:51

Can I ask did you end up taking HMRC customer service job and if so what do you think of it?

User364837 · 26/06/2024 07:24

Is it HMRC? If so once you’re in try to move from the phones to Compliance and have a mind to progression

HelplessSoul · 26/06/2024 07:21

Willowkins · 26/06/2024 04:03

I agree take the CS job. Could you also do supply teaching on some of your days off if you wanted to make extra money?

OP cant just do extra work without first notifying and getting agreement from HMRC that OP would be allowed to do so.

Same applies in other CS depts.

If you want a second job - approval is required and depending on circs, is not always given.

ThatsGoingToHurt · 26/06/2024 07:02

Also, most CS departments have flexi time. Yesterday I stayed an hour later so that will go on my flexi sheet. I’m taking this Friday off as a flexi day and next Friday as I have gradually accrued flexi over the past couple of month. This helps me when I have meetings at DC school and take an occasion ‘me’ day.

Willowkins · 26/06/2024 04:03

I agree take the CS job. Could you also do supply teaching on some of your days off if you wanted to make extra money?

Soonenough · 26/06/2024 03:28

Not one person has said to stay in your current role.

Soonenough · 26/06/2024 03:28

Not one person has said to stay in your current role.

coxesorangepippin · 26/06/2024 02:57

God just do it

It sounds great

Thanksforyourlackofthought · 26/06/2024 02:52

I’m a CS and I wish I’d joined 20 years ago. Best thing I have ever done work wise.

BruFord · 26/06/2024 01:13

I think you should take the CS job.

Re. WFH. My DH works in a different sector and now WFH three days a week. He’s able to work just as productively as in his office and has far more free time due to no commute. We have a young adult child and an older teenager so no childcare needed. It’s been a great fit for him, he’s noticeably less stressed and happier.

Less stress and more personal time are valuable, OP, you only get one life. 💐

Blarn · 26/06/2024 00:45

Blarn · 25/06/2024 20:05

Do it for the pension. As PPs have said, once you have passed probation you can look at other roles, sideways and to other departments as well as promotion. And if there is a new government there is likely to be lots of opportunities coming up.

Don't think of the wfh days as a way not to get childcare though, some departments/teams are very strict on this. And it's unfair on those of us who don't take the piss.

Edited

Sorry, I was't replying to you in particular. A lot of people think that the cs is is so lax regarding things like that.

The flexibility is great though. It is wjy so many women with families stay.

edalehope · 25/06/2024 20:25

I doubt teaching will get easier... though I know it's a hard decision. I'm thinking about something similar!

Original poster
LanaL · 25/06/2024 20:20

edalehope · 25/06/2024 17:40

How much do you spend on being shattered - takeaways, impulse buys? Having regular hours where you can leave your work at work might allow you to make savings elsewhere with no noticeable change in your standard of living.

Lots! I’m always so stressed and I spend a lot on my children just to try and make up for not being present too .

OP posts:
Original poster
LanaL · 25/06/2024 20:19

Blarn · 25/06/2024 20:05

Do it for the pension. As PPs have said, once you have passed probation you can look at other roles, sideways and to other departments as well as promotion. And if there is a new government there is likely to be lots of opportunities coming up.

Don't think of the wfh days as a way not to get childcare though, some departments/teams are very strict on this. And it's unfair on those of us who don't take the piss.

Edited

its not really to not get childcare , I worded that wrong . I can get childcare - it’s free , my child’s grandparents - but it’s the time away from his home for him and for me . Even though he will be up in his room , doing whatever , I’ll just feel more present being there if that makes sense ? I wouldn’t request more WFH for this reason . With my eldest , it’s not childcare again , she is older and able to be alone but gets very distressed with me not being around .

I have WFH before and life was much calmer , my eldest did better at school and was all round happier ( she is autistic ) and I can honestly say I never heard a peep from them when I was at home , so it didn’t impact my work , but it just made life a lot easier

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 25/06/2024 20:13

Take it. Plenty of opportunity for progression in the CS too and part time hours. I’ve been a CS for 23yrs and really enjoy it, I work for the Home Office and find it very family friendly. I do a lot of recruitment for my dept and I see a lot of applications from teachers

Love51 · 25/06/2024 20:11

Take it! And once you are firing on all cylinders, go for a promotion opportunity. Or a wfh / hybrid role if that's something you value.

Comtesse · 25/06/2024 20:08

There are a lot of options for career progression in the civil service. Sounds better than this short term gig you have now. I would take the CS role I think…..

Blarn · 25/06/2024 20:05

Do it for the pension. As PPs have said, once you have passed probation you can look at other roles, sideways and to other departments as well as promotion. And if there is a new government there is likely to be lots of opportunities coming up.

Don't think of the wfh days as a way not to get childcare though, some departments/teams are very strict on this. And it's unfair on those of us who don't take the piss.

Sondheimisademigod · 25/06/2024 20:03

Pension, pension, pension! Civil service generally v good.
Job prob much less stressful than teaching!

BagFullOfNoodles · 25/06/2024 20:00

A suggestion if you're not sure about a call centre role and want to maintain face to face contact with people

BagFullOfNoodles · 25/06/2024 19:58

Increments

BagFullOfNoodles · 25/06/2024 19:58

Train to be a probation officer LGMPF pension, decent holiday, paid sick leave 15 months to train on 23k then a bump straight to £30k+ top of band is £42500 and there are only 4 instruments now. It comes under MOJ civil service now too so application into other CS departments maintains your length of service etc

HebburnPokemon · 25/06/2024 19:56

CandidHedgehog · 25/06/2024 17:13

Do you get a pension working supply? The civil service pension is (very general rule of thumb) worth about 50% on top of salary.

Really? Generally it’s 27%

Zeeze · 25/06/2024 19:55

I work for HMRC. Take the job. I have never worked in customer services but my first job was as an AO ringing up to collect debts! I am now a Grade 7 tax inspector and earn over £65K (London). You can have a career there if you look for it and take the opportunities offered. Generally nice supportive colleagues and reasonable working conditions.