Civil Service: Is my friend being tested? Or should he stay out of this?

[TheCompleteWorks]

Hi,

I am posting on behalf of my friend. He doesn't have an account here and is really worried about something.

A few months ago, my friend (let's call him Toby) started a job at the civil service. Toby has entered the civil service at quite a high, managerial, level. Upon starting, he was put into a group with around 10 other people, all of whom were training for the same job.

They spent the first two months training and are now learning the job, as well as continuing with the training.

One of the people in Toby's team (that he is a member of, not the manager of) is very disruptive. This disruptive person (let's call him Rod) makes inappropriate jokes (such as pretending to be drunk), is often late, and is generally uncooperative within the team when group work is assigned.

Toby is starting to think that Rod's existence is some kind of test. He thinks that the higher management are waiting to see how the rest of the team deal with Rod.

So far, my friend has done nothing as he isn't Rod's manager. Is this right? Or could this be some kind of test set by higher management?

Thanks.

I think your friend sounds a bit worryingly paranoid. Has he got any history of mental health problems?

Is this the U.K.? I’m unclear what kind of senior CS job would start with two months of training.

Toby should presumably act as he would hope any senior manager like him would do if a colleague was doing this, irrespective of being on training and irrespective of whether or not it’s a test… eg challenge it, find the right person to raise it with, etc.

I'm not aware of training programmes like this. Are you sure it is true?

The ethics involved mean it is certainly not a test.

Either Rod is real (and drunk....who pretends to be drunk?)

Or Toby is Rod.

Or Toby is having a breakdown.

Or Toby is lying.

Or Toby doesn't exist.

Sorry, just to be clear, Toby's still training for the job. However, he spends about half his time doing group research/ modules, and the other half shadowing experienced people in the same role he will soon be working in. He isn't doing the job independently himself just yet.

No mental illness issues other than the usual (for example, he was a bit down a few years ago after a break-up).

Rod isn't actually drunk. It's just a recurring joke that he makes during meetings.

@WashableVelvet

Is this the U.K.? I’m unclear what kind of senior CS job would start with two months of training.

Toby should presumably act as he would hope any senior manager like him would do if a colleague was doing this, irrespective of being on training and irrespective of whether or not it’s a test… eg challenge it, find the right person to raise it with, etc.

Loads of them especially if it's a fast track role.

It won't be a test, Rod is just really like that.

Long term cs here. Senior position. Never heard of 'plants' to see how you manage them. 'Rod' just sounds like a dick who knew how to complete the application form. Your friend should find someone appropriate to report him to if he is drunk at work.

I used to work in the civil service and I can’t imagine them playing that kind of game (or bothering, or being organised enough to pull it off). There are however many unprofessional people there, as in many jobs.

Tell Toby to assume there is no acting and decide his behaviour on that basis.

Yeah I agree this isn't a test. Sorry I don't know if I made that clear in my reply to a PP. I just meant there are lots of CS jobs with intensive initial training.

No CS doesn’t do this , so friend is a bit paranoid and the other man is an idiot

Thanks everyone.

I don't want to give specifics in case "Rod" or someone else recognises the situation.

However, Rod is one of the most unprofessional people Toby has ever met, let alone been working alongside. Rod wears pjs to work (wfh with camera on), sometimes has the TV on (watching shows like Cash in the Attic), and even eats during meetings.

Toby really can't believe it. The recruitment process was really hard. Toby doesn't get how Rod got through it?

Long time civil servant here - agree with everyone that Rob is just an idiot, not a plant.

Could Toby have a word with Rob’s line manager?

Never mind Toby speaking to Rob, why hasnt Robs manager picked up and dealt with this??

If it is fastrack or similar is it possible Ros just doesn't have an understanding of what is/isn't acceptable WFH/office practice? I can conceivably see how newish entrants to this type of workplace might struggle as difficult to pick up culture when you're all remote or haven't had much office exposure before.

Equally he could just be a dick though. Plant sounds far fetched but I don't think it would change how I would deal with it anyway.

Where is Rod’s manager?

Not a test (they don't do that) but I would send a list of these behaviours to his boss