I’m terrible at my job, AIBU to try and get in to the civil service?

[overthinkersanonnymus]

I work in finance admin and although I’m extremely organised and proactive, numbers are not my strong point. I also have no pension to speak of so I feel like I need to concentrate on finding a role that won’t give me searing maths anxiety and has decent benefits.

from what I’ve heard it’s quite difficult to get in to, but if I can, what departments would be best to get apply to so I can get my foot in the door?

Oh for sure - It’s definitely assumed by a lot of people that they will get 6 months even though they’ve maybe only been there for a year.

In my department (HMRC) sick pay is one month for each year of service (up to a maximum of 5) for anyone who has joined in the last 10 years or so

And retirement age is linked to your state pension age so not ‘early’

the irony ...

Oh my God, I can't stop laughing and I've only read the OP's posts really 😂😂😂

What were you going for with that title, if @overthinkersanonnymus not to imply that incompetent people apply to the civil service?

Your written communication skills might need some work 😂😂😂 but thank you for making me laugh.

I’m retired. No irony here.

I think it’s a great idea OP.

I am not really familiar with what roles they have or what your skills will be best at but you could just keep looking and see what comes up.

I have heard working for the local authority/council is also good for long term career and pensions etc.

Well done you for recognising your weaknesses and wanting to better yourself.

I know that I cannot work at home.
I am not incompetent and would do it if pushed but I am not good at it and don’t like it.
If my role became wfh I’d look for another role.
I am not sure why posters have an issue with you.

If you are as incompetent as you suggest you will fit in fine in the civil service, especially the Home office.

I think she means an amazing pension, not just the bog standard auto-enrollment one. Public sector pensions are outstanding - typically 5 to 7 times higher than private sector ones.

It's not an easy job in my department. No hybrid working, work Saturdays and have fully booked diaries with people, often distressed, all day. Promotions are not easy to come by either. A lot of different skills are needed and you have to come up with the goods on the fly fairly often as people are unpredictable and each person needs something different. I don't recognise this lazy incompetent civil servant trope.

5-7 times??? I doubt it

I think you need to check your facts!!!

I don’t know about other departments but I work in SEND for the LA and I am flat out all day everyday with a massive workload! Definitely not an easy job, however, my other perks make up for it. I get term time, flexi and hybrid plus a good pension. I think the days of council jobs being “easy” are long gone.

And amusing 😄

This. The post does not imply respect for the roles civil servants do.

I don't know about the multiple - but people will take public sector shops for relatively shitty pay as the rather fabulous pension balances it out

Yes. 5-7 times. Depends on which bit of the public sector but as an example, the NHS employer contribution is 23% whereas auto-enrollment is 3% (3% is the minimum but the average is 3-5%). Some parts of the civil service are almost 29%.

I can't say this enough as I think so many people don't realise - public sector pensions are beyond outstanding.

It's not even shitty pay these days, it has started to even out, particularly when you draw a true comparison by including the full package (holiday, pension, blue light cards etc) rather than just the basic salary.

You can’t compare the DB public sector schemes with employer contributions in the private sector. They are different animals.

Your proof-reading skills could do with a kick up the arse too.

Perfectly put

They’re different sorts of pensions! You can’t compare them.

The contributions (the 23% you’re on about) don’t go into a persons ‘pot’ like in a private pension

Blue light cards? You are aware that lots of people (not just nhs employees) can get a blue light card? It’s not really an employee benefit is it?

Oh boy. The pension is based on an accrual rate not actual contributions. It is nowhere near 5-7 times more than the private sector.

Which facts are wrong? Be specific.

That’s ridiculous. As the OP rightly says, it’s not easy to get into and has a very high calibre of employees.

Usually very dedicated to their jobs as no one is there purely for the money!