Civil Service employment contract

[Lockthedoor]

Hi all,

I have been in the jaws of the civil service for 12 months after landing on the reserve list rather unexpectedly.

I have now been approached for a role, and promised I would get a contract very soon. This was a week ago.

How long does it usually take to get a formal contract (I have already passed security checks)? I know a week is not a long time, but I have been strung along for such a long time, I am a little bit on the alarmed side of things.

And can the resignation of a permanent secretary in the department stop or delay the recruitment?

Thank you so much

What grade is it? Unlikely that perm sec move will make a difference though.

Don’t know what the current wait is but I’d expect a contract to make much than a week. Not what you want to hear but it can take many weeks...CS resourcing is incredibly slow.

I didn't get a contract until after I'd started the post! A good month or so after starting.

Same . I had started way before my contract arrived. What grade is it ? AO- Grade 6 won't be affected by perm sec resignation . Highly doubtful that the SCS will either unless you are graduate recruit going into a senior role in the cabinet office itself.
Each govt department runs its own HR - there isn't a 'civil service' HR covering all departments.

Thanks for the replies. Its a grade 7 role, and was told that dept needs people asap. Thing is, i have been kept in the dark for so long that i always expect the worst. I was recruited through a cabinet office campaign and then put on a reserve list after dexeu was shut down. Now i am told they need to move me from grs to the new department so was just wondering whether i should brace myself for another round on the reserve list or if i can take this pseudo offer seriously...

Quick follow up to those saying they received the contract after starting: how long did it take you to get a formal letter of employment/starting date after obtaining the role?

It took a few weeks from me being offered the role to getting a contract. I called HR though and they could see that it had been sent and read out the bits I needed clarifying. I found speaking to HR on the phone was a lot quicker than waiting for an email response (although it’s nicer to have a paper trail).

I was emailed I was appointed in May and started at the end of June - the checks can take a month depending on workload

Again contract handed to me on first day nothing in advance

Thank you both. So i have already passed my security checks, so there isnt really much on the way of me starting. The only thing is that they need to move me from government recruitment service (i was recruited through a cabinet office campaign) to the new department. Some 10 days ago i was told they were on the case, but i am starting to get a little concerned as i have not heard anything about starting date, nor was i told to give my notice to my current employer. The only thing i have is the email address of the hr person whos dealing with this... But unsure as to whether i should email her already or wait a bit longer (dont wanna pester). Thoughts?

Everything takes an absolute age in the CS. A family member works there in recruitment and has said so much is on hold at the moment for various reasons. I think it is fine to politely email them to ask about expected timescales, but it probably will take a while.

@BarbedBloom

Everything takes an absolute age in the CS. A family member works there in recruitment and has said so much is on hold at the moment for various reasons. I think it is fine to politely email them to ask about expected timescales, but it probably will take a while.

Thanks for the info. Things have been on hold for me since the elections, for one reason or the other i cant seem to get unstuck. I was told hr were working hard on contracts and they were expecting movement in the coming days. This was on the 3rd of July. Haven't heard anything since. Is it a reasonable to email them now in your opinion?