Civil service moving department

[EatCakeBeMerry]

Can a department in the civil service block you moving if you were successful in an application to another department? It is the same job grade and job was advertised externally

No they can’t stop you particularly as it was externally advertised as you could resign.

This guide may assist you www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-civil-servants-how-to-move-jobs-between-departments-and-agencies

They can block a level transfer due to business need but they can’t stop you resigning to take an externally advertised job. Consider any implications if you do,such as a changed contract. Your employer cannot block a move on promotion.

They can’t if it was advertised externally (rather than across govt only), but they might not know that they can’t!

If they give you any trouble ask your HR dept for confirmation, and if all else fails ask your union for help. Most managers are bright enough to realise that if someone applies for another job it’s because they probably don’t want to be there anymore, and those people are never great in a team if they are forced to stay.

Oh actually just thought - , if it was advertised externally but was as a fixed term then they can block you because you’d have to go on loan and they don’t have to grant you the loan. But you could resign in order to be employed by the new dept if you really wanted to - but the new dept might not accept you on those terms unless there’s a break in your service in between.

Thank you and sorry should have said it is permenant so not a loan given me some reassurance as there was talk of blocking it

They cannot stop you from transferring if you have applied for the job externally. however you will be required to work in that branch until you hand in your notice.