Civil service job vacancy question

[gellas]

I’ve worked for the NHS for all of my career but after my latest maternity leave and every flexible working request being rejected and them not being able to offer any flexibility at all it is no longer suitable and I’m looking to leave the NHS. I’ve seen a few jobs for the civil service but they all seem to state both full time and part time on the post (even where there is only 1 vacancy) and so I never how many hours the post is for. Does anyone know why this is? (noticed it many times in the past too). I’m looking for 3 days up to maximum of 25/26 hours and don’t want to waste my time applying for any that will be more than that or if the days are unsuitable.

It means it’s open to either full or part time, in my experience. If you’re offered the job, then you discuss flexible working etc. If full time hours were the only option, then it would say so in the advert. There’s usually always a contact for queries, so you can drop them a short email to double check prior to starting the application process, if you want to be certain and avoid wasting time.

I agree.
It means there are full time hours available, but they are open to people working different patterns, or different numbers of hours.

Thanks both, this is good to hear.

if you apply and get an interview the conversations about what pattern you want normally happen afterwards. If they think that they need a full-time post, they will probably in time look for you to have a job share partner.

Sounds like they are more flexible than the NHS then, certainly in my experience anyway!

Sounds like they are more flexible than the NHS then, certainly in my experience anyway!

Sounds like they are more flexible than the NHS then, certainly in my experience anyway!

The advert will state full time only or 'minimum of x hours a week' if the role is less flexible as well.

Agree. Depending on the role, there might be flexibilities once employed too.

In the civil service when you advertise a role, you have to get special permission to state a minimum number of hours. Otherwise you have to advertise it as full-time, part-time, job share et cetera. It’s part of how it is.

Apply. You will not be wasting your time.