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

[Sunsnet]

I currently work a minimum wage job in retail. It's long hours, exhausting and for really shitty money. Sometimes I earn less than minimum wage as I'm salaried and not entitled to overtime.

I've just been offered a job with the DWP. I'll earn 50% more, have a WAY better pension plus more benefits. I'll even be able to work fewer hours so I can spend more time with my family and STILL be better off than now. BUT, I have friends who think the DWP is immoral and by working for them I will be implicit in that immorality.

I agree that the way the DWP works at the moment is immoral, but surely we need good people to work there to ensure that people who need the help and are entitled to it actually get it. Or am I just clutching at straws to justify my position?

I have one friend in particular who says they will never speak to me again if I take the job. This friend is independently wealthy and never needs to work again, I am not. I do not own property, have a family to support, I'm a single parent and I have no qualifications so have no hope of a better job.

Would I really be that awful a person to sell out and take this job?

I have no idea how the DWP could be considered "immoral". But it's a good job, so absolutely you should take it.

The civil service works to and for the government of the day. The CS carries out its work impartially and professionally, and it needs good people (and the very fact you’re here asking these questions suggests you are one of them) who will act with honesty and transparency to implement the direction of ministers. If your friends have an issue with the DWP or PIP specifically they have the opportunity to demonstrate that through their vote this year. It is childish and ridiculous to suggest nobody should work for the DWP - however it may be in practice it remains in principle an organisation designed to relieve the suffering of those who genuinely cannot work, and to help those who can find a job that meets their needs. It can’t not exist and anybody who suggests it shouldn’t is living in a fantasy.
Take the job, and if you can’t have a reasoned and rational argument with your friend about why you have then I guarantee you’ll find new and better ones within the CS.
Good luck.

You will get some abuse, but also some thanks, but if you have worked in retail, you are strong enough to handle that.

Steep learning curve though - regs are a bit of a minefield, so don't be afraid to ask for help.
Not only will you get regular pay rises, and a decent pension, but opportunities for advancement. Not all jobs are processing claims. DWP sort out Motability transport too for example. Go for it, and good luck.

How are PIP claimants going to get their payment if there is no-one there to administer it?

Take the job but be warned it’s not always easy . My friend took a job as a pip assessor and she ended up leaving as she wouldn’t deal with what was constantly being asked from her . It was awful to meet their targets and she couldn’t live with herself and was miserable all the time .

if it’s something similar make sure you can do it as it’s not easy

Jobs pay wages that enables you to pay bill, friends don't. If they are true friends they will be pleased for you.

The DWP is huge. I'm a civil servant (different office) and have worked with the DWP in some really interesting roles - they are much more than just the 'immoral' aspect some immediately think of. For example I worked with a team aiming to improve online access to pension info for very elderly people who are not even remotely computer literate. Rewarding, interesting, and working to improve accessibility of a public service.

Exactly. And believe it or not, not everyone on PIP had a hard fight getting it. For many, it has been straight forward.

Saying that, my sister worked for DWP in PIP claims and turned into an utter bitch over it... always slagged off people claiming it. But then, I guess her view was jaded by her getting abuse on the phone.

How will it change if we all have that attitude? I worked for dwp and treated people with the same respect I treat everyone that deserves it. Working for the public sector is working for the people.

This

The reality is it will only change when those up the ladder decide . My friend was given targets . No matter if she saw 15 people who where rightfully to claim pip , she could only allow half to have it . She had constant targets , no matter if right or wrong .
my son has severe autism as a example , dying his pip assessment they put down he can cook for himself , my son is non verbal , completely dependent and I specifically said he couldn’t cook or be alone in the kitchen . His report came with ‘ he can prepare meals ‘

Your friends are being ridiculous! If they don't like the way the civil service operates they should change the government that runs them. Take the job, OP!

100% take the job.
You will also be responsible for paying people their benefits. People on low incomes, disabled people, lone parents depend on the DWP and their staff for their benefits. You'll make new friends. Lots of people similar to you will be in that job.
Good luck!

I have to speak with DWP advisors regularly in my job and the experience is varied. I've been hung up on after waiting for 45 minutes for a call to be answered, I've listened to advisors give information I know is incorrect. I have talked through benefit info with new starts who are struggling with system issues. I have had advisors ask me to stay on the line whilst they make notes because they want to make sure it is correct. I have listened to genuine joy from a DWP adviser when I have phoned with a client who was due a backdated benefit payment of £10k. They seem quite a varied bunch your future colleagues. Stuff your friends. Be the advisor that you would want to deal with and enjoy the challenge and where it might take you.

The DWP is so much more than PIP assessments. I'm not sure why people are so fixated on those who work in this one area. OP could well be working in a completely different area.

After years of working in private sector I needed a more local job so work for DWP. People think civil service is all tea breaks. The part I work for is probably lowest paid and more stress than I have ever experienced. People are leaving and not being replaced. Work load increasing. You want to help people as much as you possibly can, but even if I stay 2 hours extra every day (often do) you can never get thru it. And yes, I get a lot of abuse and am now on antidepressants. So are many of my teammates. But when you succeed in helping people you feel you have done your job. I tell mates I work in CS and that’s it. Good luck in your new job.

Your family are more important than your friends. I didn’t know working for DWP was seen as being all that immoral 🤷‍♀️

I would do 3 things - take the job ..

dump the “friend “ .. I have friends who work for hmrc - They are nice people - who get paid well for what they do .

Third thing is report the company you work for . You legally can’t be paid under minimum wage - that includes working over hours , training courses .. so do everyone else a favour report them

I worked for DEP for years. Not only will you have better pay but you will benefit from Great working conditions, flexible working, paid leave, great colleagues. As a government employee you will be up there with the best diversity and equality policies in the country. lots of opportunities to change role and/ or advance. It’s a great place to work.
Take the job . You’re not selling out. Your buying in.

DWP

Take the job, simple

What a lovely friend! I have a lot to do with the DWP and it’s always refreshing to speak with someone who wants to help.

I work for a local government agency that gets loads of flak. I always say that if good people don't work there nothing will ever change. Go for the job and enjoy your extra salary and benefits!

For the few criticising DWP, you do know there are loads of departments in DWP that are nothing directly to do with benefits? I’m a contractor and have work for lots of public sector organisations on the tech/digital side of things. I’ve worked for DWP and nothing to do with benefits and for HMRC and nothing to do with taxes. Public sector is great for pension and benefits and more slower paced than private sector (In my experience) and long term, would be a good career move.
Take the job, sack off the ‘friends’ and enjoy being offered a great new role. You’ll regret it if you don’t. Good luck!

Take it, for goodness sake, why would a friend say this? You, your family are most important, with yhe increase in wage, she will get used to it or bugger off, in which case she wasn't a true friend.