Civil Service employment letter

[Lockthedoor]

Hello all,

Bit of a dilemma here. I have passed my checks and obtained a starting date (1 month from today) after a chat with my future line manager.

I thought that once agreed to a starting date, I would at least receive a formal letter of employment. However, today I was told that HR is very busy and that therefore formal offer (as well as the contract) might arrive after I actually start.

Has anyone else experienced this? I am very nervous about resigning from my current role without having anything formal sorted out from the Civil Service. What if it all falls through?

Thank you

From experience, refusing to start until you get a contract speeds things up...but yes it's not unusual for this to be the case! Ridiculous as it is

Prepare yourself for delays. The civil service is notorious for them!

Yes sadly this is quite common. As long as you've got something in writing from your manager saying you've got a job you should be fine. They will have spent money recruiting you and getting you clearance etc so wouldn't waste that in a hurry!

I never received a contract by hand to sign, just something in the civil service jobs application section

I wouldn't resign from a role until you have a contract of employment I saw that to my employee's, candidates, friends/family.

My manager didn’t get a formal letter until she’d been in the job for a year. I think saying you won’t accept or start the job untilYou get that letter is a tad dramatic (no offence meant) and that may be some months yet. As you know, with Covid everything has been delayed.

As long as you have something in writing from your manager (an email is fine) you’re ok. Good luck!

Nearly 20 years ago when I started my letter followed me joining! Nice to know some things don't change!