Questions for civil servants...any advice gratefully accepted!

[FrodisCapering]

I'm considering applying for a Grade 7 position.

Does anyone know whether this level is politically restricted? I'm a member of a mainstream party and stood in the recent GE, and I'm hoping to be selected again for the next election.

Also, the advert says three days in the office. Does anyone know if this is negotiable?
Also, is there any chance of flexible/agile working?

My current role is fully home-based apart from delivering training a few times a year, and I find it very handy for school runs etc.
It's also really flexible: core hours are 11-3 and we set our own schedules around this.

They say it's two years with the possibility of extension. Are people usually able to stay in the CS if they've done a good job, or is there a high staff turnover?

It's based in the North West, so I'd also be keen to hear from anyone working in this geographical area. Is there generally a good culture? I know there's lots of different depts and I don't want to be outing by saying which job it is, so appreciate this question might be too vague.

Many thanks in advance to anyone who can answer any of these questions.

Grade 7 is where you start being politically restricted, yes. It makes sense if you think about it - how can the government of the day trust that senior civil servants are working to serve them if you’re a party member, stand for election etc.

3 days in the office: depends which office you’re based in (some don’t have capacity for 60% occupancy) and if you have any grounds to request a reasonable adjustment due to disability or caring.

Flexible working: most CS departments have flexible hours and lots of people work compressed hours, flex round school pick-ups etc including very senior managers so that’s not likely to be a problem.

Agile working: not sure what you’re thinking of here tbh. Everyone hotdesks if that’s what you mean. Don’t know what else you’re thinking of. Unlikely you could be fully home based.

Staying if you’ve done a good job: lots of people start on fixed-term contracts (I did, as mat cover) and find permanent roles. If you are hired under fair and open competition ie a full external recruitment process under success profiles then it may be that you can be made permanent in that role. If not, you’d need to go through a proper recruitment process to be made permanent whether in that role or another.

Culture tends to depend on the specific dept you work for.

Hope that helps! Good luck!

@blackcatsblackcats thank you so much, that's really helpful.

Haven’t come across anyone standing (for MP??). Would need a lot of discussion pre-appointment. Standing as councillor fine at g7 as long as declared. Also active campaigning is fine, again as long as declared and not in overly politically sensitive role.

If Manchester, there’s a v active govt community there and a good shared culture, lots going on. Not sure about other locations.

I'm a CS based in the north west and it is not possible to make generalisations about the culture even within my own office of my own department. If it's HMRC then feel free to private message me.

@blahblonk thanks for your thoughts.

@emsyj37 thanks also. It's Dept for Education.

DfE are very hot on the 3 days in the office. They do tend to be very flexible about what office it is (my small team of 6 is spread all round the country). But we are held to account on the 60% unless there are reasonable adjustments or a carers passport in place.

If you stand in a GE you usually have to resign, but can be immediately reappointed after the election if you don't win- there's a particular rule about it. It might be in the Civil service code.

You might want to think about how, for example, vocal you can be on an ongoing basis about government policy if you're trying to position yourself locally as a candidate. I don't comment on any policy e.g on social media any more (the flip side is you have plenty of opportunities to pick over it at work!).

This says you have to resign as soon as you're selected. It doesn't really sound like a great fit for you tbh.

Is it a role where you’ll be deciding government policy? If so then wanting to be a prospective MP might not be appropriate. Might be best to ask the recruiting manager

the three days thing is non negotiable across most departments now.