Would you find this job situation unreasonable?

[Redvelvetdreams1]

In a job I'm not enjoying, unsure whether to stick it out or look for something else. I'm a trainee atm.

Anyway I booked annual leave 2 months ago for very start of Feb which was approved by my manager. We've received an email this afternoon saying that there will be mandatory training sessions on between 5 and 10 days of each month and that we are strongly encouraged to not take any annual leave on these dates.

So first of all that limits our leave use heavily. Next of all 2 of the dates are in Feb during my holiday but as I say this leave was approved prior to getting any sort of mention of these dates.

They've even put please make every effort to attend even if it's on your non working days. What if you have childcare etc?

They've even said if you miss any of these dates this could affect your chances of finishing training.
I'm not sure what they expect, the email also has a general arsey tone speaking to people as if they're children.
I understand they get time wasters etc. But I hate that whole 'YOU MUST have cameras on for EVERY meeting.'
'DONT think you can answer the door just because you're working from home.'

I dislike the job anyway but this has annoyed me. I don't have much office experience, does this sound like standard work protocol or not?

Surely they can record the sessions missed so people can catch up. Your holiday is booked and signed off. Unless you’re in a critical role they shouldn’t need to cancel your leave.

i have certain commitments at work I do try hard to make because otherwise colleagues have to cover. But I’m still going to take holidays when I need to. I try to avoid these dates but it doesn’t always work. I think that’s what they mean. Try and go if you can.

Are you in CTU?
It's a 9 month timetable to train you to be a compliance officer.
The training is important however you're leave won't be refused, the ask is that if you have the choice of taking an alternative day so you can make the training please do so.
People take a week/ fortnight all the time.
Cameras on is to ensure you're engaged and following what's being taught, it's easy to get lost and being able to see you allows the trainer to check you're understanding.

This.

Sorry, you sound like a bit of a snowflake if you disapprove of 'tone' of emails but otherwise agree with the content.

Cameras on for meetings unless requested is standard etiquette.

Just not sure why a compliance officer seems to require 9 months+ training yet it's only EO level and I will achieve zero qualification from it? There are some EO jobs that can be learned in weeks, it's a very low ranking in the CS

Do you know how to risk a case, identify a risk, ask for the appropriate documents to test the risk, check for cross tax risks, identify any errors, test credibility, make calculations based on the error, including any interest, educate the customer, charge penalties based on their behaviour including any reduction, calculate FRB, RLP? No? Well that's what your training does.

And that requires 9-18 months to train on? Honestly feel like it could easily be condensed. And could maybe be offered as an apprenticeship or something similar..

In any case it's the right thing for me to look elsewhere, no point of me wasting their time and it's just not the role for me.

I don’t put my camera on. I have a reasonable adjustment that means I don’t have to. It’s not rude at all. People who get all bent out of shape over it and consider it ‘rude’ lack the intelligence to understand that not everyone can/wants/needs to have a camera on. Be a bit more tolerant instead of making stupid assumptions.

No ones said its rude and it was a reasonable adjustment the clue is in the name...adjustment. it shouldn't be the norm.

It sounds pretty unpleasant to me, OP. The only thing I would ask is, will this training put you in a good position to move to a better position in the civil service? Is it likely that you will enjoy the role when you are up and running? Might it be worth tolerating the training if you will?

My personal experience is that the part of the civil service I work for is on its knees, almost all the staff are at rock bottom and lots of people drop out shortly after they’ve arrived.

What I can see though, is that for ambitious people, there are likely opportunities for moving around and climbing ladders. The high turnover means it isn’t long before anyone who sticks around is one of the most experienced people.

I very much hope that things won’t get worse in the civil service. From those who have been in a long time, I know the downward trend has been going on for years. Surely, eventually someone in government has to work out the reason why the whole thing is dysfunctional is because they’re simply not paying enough to attract and retain good people?

Whatever you decide, best of luck to you.

Suit yourself OP, completely.
Tjey are not being reasonable.