Working for a County Council (remotely from another County!)

[Tryingtorelocate]

Has anyone done this?

I've applied for the job of my dreams in a Local Authority 200 miles away. I'm keen to relocate for the job if I get it but it'll take months to sell and buy. (Last time conveyancing took 6 months alone! And I wont be able to afford mortgage and rent at the same time)

But was just wondering if anyone else works for a County Council / Local Authority but from quite far away?

The role says its WFH anyway. 😊

People in my local authority do this (not me). One comes in to the local office one set day per week and others work entirely from home. It depends what the job is.

If you get an offer double check it is contractually work from home. A lot of councils I know people now work from home the majority of the time but are technically hybrid workers and are expected to come to the office sometimes (once a week, fortnight, month whatever).

Many aren’t actually contractual homeworkers, and aren’t paid home office allowance, so can be recalled to the office at any point.

Good luck!

Check the contract if you get the job.

They also might want you to come in every so often for meetings etc.

You can of course but I'd check the deal with working from home, there's generally a push for people to start coming into office a bit more and you might not be able to secure exemption from this. If its a shortage role though you might have more leeway to temporarily arrange something.

It depends what the job involves and the LA.
I work for a LA based in SE England and I personally know someone who lives in Scotland and another who lives in Northern Ireland. They travel for meetings about once a month and both have line management responsibilities.

Thanks everyone! The role specifically says "not customer facing" as its all about website data etc.

I'm happy to travel up for a weekly meeting or whatever.

I prefer office working so if I did get the role, as soon as I'm there I'd definitely go in everyday. I don't want to WFH forever!

Just to add, neither is in a customer facing role, so not social workers or librarians etc

Oh cool!! Love this!

I do! I currently work at a senior level for an LA 150 miles away. I go in when I am needed to do public meetings and team building etc which is infrequently and this was agreed at recruitment.

Im just about to change roles, again working remotely- again agreed at recruitment.

Many authorities struggle with recruitment of specialists and offering remote working expands the quality of applicants.

My local LA are very much anti WFH and they make it abundantly clear. They don't even like flexible working! I've had to decline two job offers as they wouldn't let me start a little later / finish later (15 mins) so I can take my DC to school.

But the LA 200 miles away mentions WFH and flexibility all over the job description. They even say they'll accept PT applicants.

Maybe it's a tricky role to fill!

Thanks everyone. I have decided to ask the job poster if it's a possibility (just temporarily of course!)

My heart did backflips and butterflies when I saw thr job advert. Its exactly what I want! x

Update: they said its FINE to be located 200 miles away and work remotely 100%.

😍

Great news and good luck

Great but if you get the job make sure it’s in your contract as well