Applying for a lower grade role in Civil Service

[SusieKin]

I worked in my last CS role for several years and enjoyed it however I applied for a role in another CS dept on promotion as I was concerned my current role may become redundant so decided it was a good time to look for something else. I have recently just moved to my new role but I really dislike it. It is not at all what I expected and there are certain aspects of the role which were not made clear in the job description. I want to stay in the CS and I’ve looked at other jobs back where I used to work but these are a grade lower. My question is, how does it work if I apply for a demotion in the Civil Service? Would I need to explain this at interview and how would it look? Would I start on the bottom of the pay scale again for the lower grade? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Pay wise with a short gap normal practice is to revert you back to your previous salary in that grade.

Depending on how recently you moved it is possible both departments would agree to a transfer back to your previous department. To do this there must be a vacant job for you to go back to.

If you were worried about redundancy what has changed?

Do you mind stating what it is you don’t like about your new role - is it that you feel out of your depth or you don't like the work. Have you given the job a fair go I.e. consolidated training etc or is it something you don't like to do e.g. presentations.

Think very carefully about whether downgrading is the right career choice, could you stay in this job for 12 months then look for a level transfer else where? Use the time to develop your transferable skills and research roles so you are better placed to apply for the right role.

One last thing, in over 30 years in the Civil Service I always found the role I applied for only partly met the job description. Plus regular restructures meant my roles/ job description changed fairly often.

The role just isn’t right for me, there are certain elements of the role which were not made clear at interview or in the job description. I would be tied to the role for 2 years due to training and study required. I don’t want to waste their time or mine by seeing through the two years. I couldn’t go back to my old role as it doesn’t exist anymore, but I have noticed similar roles to what I did before in a different CS dept. I am just worried how it would look .

OK, so there aren’t jobs in your old Dept. Are there any vacancies in your new department, different teams, divisions etc? If so, your first step is to ask HR if you could have an internal transfer to one of these roles and to downgrade or even move on level terms. Please keep your line manager informed.

If you are going to have to move departments then I would take two approaches:

1. Contact the department, the recruiting manager or HR contact, and explain your situation and ask if they would consider a transfer. Be clear you are happy to apply for the vacancy and ask questions to make sure the role is as expected.

1. Apply for jobs, both in you old grade and your new grade.

In all three situations, talk (do not email) to your line manager and HR, explain that whilst you will do your best this role is not for you. Make it clear you are thinking about the business and don’t want them to pay for training when you know this is not the right role for you. Apologise and explain you would like to transfer either internally ( same dept):or externally (other depts) to x type of role. State you are applying for jobs and if they know of any suitable vacancies would they consider/help you.

They will try to talk you out of it, human nature, but if you are clear this is a square peg in a round hole situation they should be supportive. They may not be happy with the situation, it’s creating more work for them to fill your role, but most will understand and try and help you.

The other avenue is to ask you TU rep to assist you.

In my experience speaking up sooner rather than later is better. Most mangers are pragmatic and will try to help. The Civil Service as an institution has encountered this situation loads of times.

I am going to challenge you, why is your first instinct to downgrade rather than moving to another role at your new grade. Are you looking to go back to a safe space, do you have imposter syndrome? A level transfer in your new grade is an equally viable option.

Good luck