Civil Service part time?

[JonSnowedUnder]

Does anyone have any experience of CS part time roles and what sort of hours are typical. I know it's probably quite department specific but there are a few CS roles being advertised near me as full and part time but with no hours mentioned and no hiring manager to contact either by phone or email.

The recruitment process seems time consuming and doesn't actually appear to involve speaking directly to anyone until possible offer (CV sift, written statement, pre-recorded interview) and I don't want to waste my time as I'm not fully flexible, I would struggle to work past 4.30pm.

I'm not sure, I applied for quite a few. Tailored each application to the job spec. Spent hours and hours on each one. Used the Star method.

I'm getting rejection emails from them left, right and centre.

The process asks if you have caring responsibilities, obviously I ticked yes because I'm a mum. I don't think they're as flexible or fair as they sound.

I won't be wasting my time again. Shame!

Thanks for the reply @Buzzybeeinmybrain . Sorry to hear you have been unsuccessful so far. Its frustrating there is no contact details to discuss this sort of thing with them.

As you point out it will be department and even role specific.

In my experience the CS is quite traditional in its approach to flexible working so go with the standards of flexible working time, compressed hours, traditional part time etc. There is some TTW and job share but really creative options are few and far between.

If the role has flexitime then a 16:00 finish is possible e.g. 08:00 to 16:00 with 30 min lunch. You can add to that part time hours. A very popular option is 5 x 6 hour days where you start at 07:30 and leave at 13:30.

I am surprised there is no email or contact details on the job advert . Is it a mass recruitment exercise rather than a single role.

@Buzzybeeinmybrain you will be getting rejected because your not demonstrating the competences.

The fact you ticked a box about caring responsibilities will not be a factor.

Have you asked for feedback? It could be you are not being specific enough, not clearly stating what you did, not pitching it at the right level.

To be honest @Princessglittery - having read that the local CS offices to me are highly toxic and unpleasant with a high turnover of staff - has made me realise I wouldn't touch those jobs with a barge poll.

Also the fact that the government plans mass redundancies. Even if its not true - I wouldn't want that uncertainty over me.

But thank you for your reply 😊

@JonSnowedUnder are you looking at a role on the CS jobs website or through a recruiter? Usually on CS jobs, there is the contact details of the relevant HR person at the very bottom of the ad. Or you could just go to the main website of the dept and there will be a general info email and asked to be put in touch with HR.

In my dept, working hours are between 7am-7pm and core hours are 10-3 with a min 30min break anytime between 12-2. Each working day is 7.2hrs. Which means you can start anytime after 7am -10am and leave when your hours are done anytime between 3pm-7pm. Loads of people do 8am-4pm for the school runs. So someone needing to leave before 4.30pm really wouldn't be an issue.

It will depend on department and role. If it's part of a team that needs cover over a certain period, you usually have to fit in with whatever the existing team is doing so that there is enough cover. If cover isn't an issue, then you can probably dictate what you want to do in terms of days and times. I've found it very flexible working for the CS and have been able to dictate my hours and days.

I’ve known people who’ve done all kinds of different working patterns including term time 3/4 days a week, and compressed hours (where you’re technically working full time but you work longer days and then have one day off per fortnight).

Unfortunately though if there are no contact details listed I guess you just have to apply and then ask for part time hours as part of the negotiation process if you get offered a job.

If the job advert says part time applicants are welcome though then I’m sure they’d be pretty open minded. I doubt finishing at 16.30 would be a massive problem.

My sister has worked for Work and Pensions since she was young, they were vey good and flexible through difficult times, ie death of parents. They were good during the childcare years as well.

My department: a huge amount of flexibility between 5am and 10pm; flexi time encouraged.

In my experience (I’m in the CS and we get new recruits all the time) the negotiation for hours is done when you’re offered the role. Our recruitment person in our area will come to me and ask are you happy if x person does 30hrs etc. Once in the role you can always request a change of hours and in my team we nearly always grant it. We have people on term time only, 2 days a week or 34hrs instead of 37, so all kinds of part time and flexible hours. We also do 40% office time, and can be flexible on lunch breaks so staff can collect children on a late lunch and save on after school costs (as long as the child is of school age and able to entertain themselves for the extra hour or so)