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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Civil service and underperforming

50 replies

HateMyJob12345 · 15/04/2022 17:21

I work in the civil service, office based job, mainly at home since covid (which I don’t mind). My manager told me this week that he thinks I am underperforming. I have been in civil service 25 years and never had this happen before 😞 I have found work had been making me physically and mentally ill recently as the workload is too high, plus the actual work too complex for me to manage. Feeling so stressed and worried. Anyone else been through under performing procedures in the civil service who can give me a hand hold?

OP posts:

bagsforlife20 · 15/04/2022 23:50

Well you could be my manager’s manager so I probably can’t give you the best advice, but definitely see what the union suggests. Maybe create a document noting all the work you complete each day so you can back yourself up if needed in the future. I think the next steps would be an informal request for you to improve, or a formal meeting where you may get a PAL or something.

As you’ve been in the department for a while, is there anyone you trust to be a mentor for you? Old managers, your manager’s manager etc to see if they can give you any guidance?

Nat6999 · 15/04/2022 23:58

Live others have said, get all the evidence you can, do you keep stats of the amount & complexity of work you have done, have you done work for any other managers that you can bring up? Do you have another manager you can speak to or who can act as a mentor or sounding board that you can discuss why you are being told you underperformed?
Definitely take a union rep with you if you can & ask for examples & reasons that your manager thinks you aren't working as well as you should, ask if these can be presented to you before the meeting so you can prepare.

Original poster

HateMyJob12345 · 16/04/2022 15:25

Thanks everyone. The timing is definitely intentional so that my manager can then bring it up at my end year review and then he can say he already told me I was underperforming. I am going to say that as he didn’t bring it up in the reporting year (i.e before end March) it doesn’t count that he told me in April.
I also am going to submit a complaint to my boss’s boss that I’m being bullied and request a change of line management, (I’ve got so much evidence of inappropriate behaviour from him) but not put in a formal complaint at this stage, although I am worried it will make things worse.

OP posts:

C0rBlimey · 16/04/2022 15:33

My sympathies OP. I also am being told I'm underperforming (G7 also) - I'd use your union before making a formal bullying complaint. It's pressing nuclear button so I'd get some advice first.

Ululavit · 16/04/2022 15:36

I think speaking to your counter signing manager, with evidence and a plan of what you would like to happen, is a really good idea. Given headcount caps, they will probably have or know someone who has an urgent need for a G7, and can sort out a quick move under the guise of urgent business need. Much better for them to do that, than have to deal with a formal complaint.

I would also suggest a bit of introspection - with a mentor if you have one, or a trusted colleague - about your performance. Not to say it’s your fault, but to show that you have thought about your own actions and where you can improve and learn. It should help with the beginnings of a stress management plan, and also ensure your countersigning manager sees that you have insight, are proactive and want to do well. Which, I suspect, is the opposite of how your manager has painted you.

I’ve lost of the times I’ve taken someone on, and spent the first six months undoing the damage from a previous manager. It’s such a shame that it’s so common, but it is, and there is a way through.

Original poster

HateMyJob12345 · 16/04/2022 15:45

My confidence is rock bottom and I do keep thinking that perhaps I am just crap at my job which is even impacting me applying for new jobs but I really need to just move.My self esteem is shot to pieces by all this.

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Hawkins001 · 16/04/2022 20:00

@HateMyJob12345

As long as your doing what you know your objectives are and targets, and if others offer perspectives that are different from your line manager, then I'd be doubting the wisdom of the line manager perspectives.

Original poster

HateMyJob12345 · 16/04/2022 20:33

The problem is I haven’t met all deadlines/objectives because I can’t cope with the workload 😞

OP posts:

OberthursGrizzledSkipper · 16/04/2022 20:57

Be aware too that once on a formal PIP they won't let you move...

Original poster

HateMyJob12345 · 16/04/2022 21:43

That is what I’m really scared off - getting a formal PIP and then being totally stuck 😞

OP posts:

Original poster

HateMyJob12345 · 16/04/2022 21:59

If I’m put on a PIP can I even move internally? Or is it just that I can’t move to another government department?

OP posts:

searchingforsomethiing · 16/04/2022 22:34

@HateMyJob12345

Civil service here as well (not MOD though) and I feel you. I’ve not been told I’m under performance- yet. It’s such a difficult place to work.

Overworked and grossly underpaid. Get PCS involved or if you’re in the g7/6 SCS union (ARC?) then get them in.

BuchananBaby · 16/04/2022 22:54

@HateMyJob12345 I am WAY under you and not in MOD but from my experience dealing with underperformance and PIP's I would be asking - has your manager been having performance and wellbeing discussions with you regularly? Has your performance been questioned before? Do you have a stress reduction plan or reasonable adjustments in place? Is your manager fully aware that your struggling (I think wfh has made it easier for managers to miss this)? Definitely get the union involved but as far as I know before a PIP can be put in place and informal discussion needs to be held to find out what they can do to support YOU it's not about what you aren't doing but what they can do to help. If help isn't offered by your manager/department PCS will wipe the floor with them.

Original poster

HateMyJob12345 · 16/04/2022 23:09

No he has not been having regular performance discussions with me. He did when I started the post but for some reason they stopped.

OP posts:

nonevernotever · 16/04/2022 23:09

Chin up @HateMyJob12345 I've been where you are now and it sucks, but I'm willing to bet that you are not crap at your job; but you have an unrealistic work programme, a crap line manager and between the two no longer know which way is up. Speak to the union, speak to your countersigning officer and apply for moves . Keeping everything crossed for you. I still get shaky when I see my ex boss's name but life is so much better now that I don't have to have any dealings with them, and current boss is slowly building my confidence again. You'll get there too.

Original poster

HateMyJob12345 · 16/04/2022 23:38

Thanks nonevernotever and sorry to hear you’ve been through this too. The work programme is without a doubt unrealistic.

OP posts:

Original poster

HateMyJob12345 · 16/04/2022 23:39

@Nonevernotever, do you mind me asking if you were put on a formal PIP and what happened?

OP posts:

Original poster

HateMyJob12345 · 17/04/2022 08:44

I think I’ve made the decision to resign. Have talked it through with my husband and he says he’s happy to be the bread winner for a bit, or even forever if need be. This situation is making me feel suicidal and it’s just not worth it. I feel better now I’ve made the decision. I feel so much calmer.

OP posts:

MaverickSnoopy · 17/04/2022 09:04

Not Civil Service but I used to work for a University and was in a very similar situation. Sudden ridiculous workload when my manager left and I had to deputise in her absence and do my own job. She was HOD so it was a huge expectation that I said I didn't want. When new manager started 2 months later I was drowning. I was also going through a difficult pregnancy. New Manger decided I was awful at my job as I couldn't keep up but I had a huge back log of work and was working on reduced hours from occ health due to pregnancy. Old Manager had given me a recognition award for my fantastic performance just a few months earlier. I ended up going on mat leave early and never going back. Leaving decimated my career. I have no confidence in my abilities and no job. I have done a couple of things since but confidence has always been an issue since.

I get deciding to resign. Sometimes it's just too much to go through. It's what I did. It was the right thing but it's cast a shadow for too long and I should have jumped back on the horse sooner. I was high flying in my career with great references. I now don't have references as everyone has moved on and the companies I worked for won't give factual references. I have tried after a recent job interview. So my advice it look after your mental health but also jump back on the horse as soon as you can.

Original poster

HateMyJob12345 · 17/04/2022 09:13

@Maverick, thanks for advice and sorry to hear you’ve been through it too. I feel exactly like you say you felt-I just don’t have it in me to fight back as it’s too much to go through. I don’t want to go back to a high flying career anyway, I want to take 6months to a year off and then get a job in a shop or something like that. Just something that pays the bills.

OP posts:

nonevernotever · 17/04/2022 09:15

No of course I don't mind you asking. It didn't get that far in my case because the initial attacks were too random and the situation developed really quickly over three months. So we would discuss something in a wider team meeting, everything would be agreed and then a week later they'd do 180 and deny all knowledge. Or they would go for me if I said anything in a meeting. The turning point was when they accused me in writing of dishonesty. I provided the links to the official system that proved categorically that I hadn't done anything. Eventually I got a grudging statement that the original email hadn't been an accusation. That was when I knew I had to get out. Thankfully I got the next post I applied for and life is so much better!

nonevernotever · 17/04/2022 09:19

Just seen your update. Sometimes you have to step back to preserve your own mental health. Have you also considered asking HR if You could step down a grade or even two in a different area? My dept has done this for people who were superb in the heo and SEO but found the stress of being in charge as a g7 unbearable . Whatever you decide, I wish you well.

Ululavit · 17/04/2022 09:23

OP If you need to resign for your mental health, then do. But I think if it’s that bad, then get signed off so you don’t need to work your notice.

If that is the plan, I think you have nothing to lose by speaking to your countersigning manager. At worst, it will do nothing but give you a chance to say your piece. At best, you might get recognition that you’ve been badly managed and the offer of a fresh start elsewhere specifically designed to play to your strengths and build up your confidence. I would do the latter, if I possibly could, and especially if I knew there was a problem in that team and that your performance was a symptom not a cause.

Whatever you decide,

Original poster

HateMyJob12345 · 17/04/2022 09:35

Great suggestion about asking to step down a grade, although actually in previous G7 posts it’s always been my management skills that have been my biggest strength. I love managing and coaching people. But if I was an SEO I could manage a smaller team which would be easier and they have loads of SEO vacancies in my old area.

If I do resign I will definitely take sick leave until my notice is up! Not sure if my notice is 1month or 3, I need to check

OP posts:

onlywork55 · 19/04/2022 09:01

As others have said, the Civil Service offers very secure employment and it is very hard for them to actually fire you. Unfortunately though the performance management system is set up in such a way that your confidence and self-esteem could end up being completely destroyed in the process.

It sounds like your manager is stressed and overworked and taking it out on you, which is causing you to lose confidence in your abilities and therefore it's harder to perform at your best. It is a bit of a vicious circle.

I think this is the main way they get people to leave, by making it unbearable to continue working there - people either go off long-term sick with stress and end up being managed out that way (older employees in this category often seem to end up taking early retirement) or they just give up and resign.

Obviously this is a huge generalisation and there are great parts of the Civil Service with very competent managers (as you know) where this doesn't happen. But there are plenty of pockets which really aren't nice areas to work. It sounds like you've ended up in one of those.

My advice to would be to buy yourself some time. Go off sick for a couple of weeks (you don't even need to say it's stress, just say you have a bad case of covid or something) and look at other roles on CS Jobs. In the meantime, get in an application for a career break. And think if there are any old contacts you could speak to and see if they have any opportunities for a managed move.

If you've been happy in the CS in the past I think it's worth trying out another role before giving up completely. Good luck.

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