Civil service

[AHDH]

Recently had an email I’ve got a new manager in civil service reason position change backfill.

Anyone know what that could be and do I worry. I don’t think I’m moving . Any ideas. Thanks.

I think it will be your line manager moving/leaving/going on paternity/maternity sick leave maybe?

Can I ask a question been on a team 2.5 weeks and I’ve only been in the CS 4 weeks - and I’m putting in data at mo and it’s quite complex at times - although there is a supposed target of 65 per day. I’ve been steadily increasing and my max has hit 60. As I say only 2 weeks in.

I am worried about not hitting their target although to me the target means something that you strive for rather than an actual achievement per day. How does the target thing work …. If I’m under but trying each day?

Shouldn’t be but it’s on my mind I need to pass my probation. Thanks

This sort of thing you really need to discuss with your line manager and make a written record of it. So is it a minimum standard ( ie if you dont hit it it could lead to performance management action) , or is it a suggested target to aim for etc.Nobody on here can tell you what will happen as all CS departments work differently. But it’s important to get clarity whilst you are still in your probation period.

I’d expect the 65 to be the level you’re expected to get to within a certain time period, and then maintain consistently afterwards. (Unless there are any conditions that mean you need the target adjusted.)

how far off are you on an average day?

I’ve only been there a couple of weeks was signed off a week ago - now on my own. Have hit 60 before usually get about 50ish but my speed is increasing. I’m new to it all and really don’t understand how they - if it’s possible achieve 65 a day. My core hours are 8-4 .

If you get half an hour for lunch, that’s an average of one entry per 6.5 minutes to hit 65 per day.

Are others managing it? Sounds like there would be a number of you doing this role.

Tbh they say don’t worry you’re so new - you’re learning. I don’t really think they get that each day and there’s about 4 of us but they are on flexi - I’m core hours 8-4 and only one. It’s got me really stressed.

How in the world can you put 1 in every 6.5 mins every single day even WFH it’s unreal.

You really really need to speak to your line manager - it's not clear from your first post if they're still there but if not speak to your team. There isn't one way that targets work across the civil service. You could end up with some completely duff advice here from people who have no idea what your work involves and what's in your contract.

In my role you're expected to hit your targets everyday. Any mitigations for not hitting your target should be discussed with your line manager.

For newer employees they will be set a more manageable target that will be increased every week until full target is reached. Ideally, you need to have a chat with your line manager regarding their expectations.

You’re only two weeks in, you need to give yourself time. You will naturally get better and quicker the more you do it. It can take a good few months to feel confident in a role. Be kind to yourself. Can you reach out to your team members to explain your worries? If they have been there a while they will be able to help you and keep you calm.

In the civil service you are given work objectives and time frames, these should be agreed with your Line Manager. If you can not achieve the task requirements, speak to your Line Manager. At the moment you should be going through induction training, and there would be no expectation for you to be fully achieving targets. I think you should book a meeting with your Line Manager

Do you have monthly one to one chats, you said you were in four weeks So Youd be due one? Ask your manager. Time to review your objectives and maje sure youre hitting the targets they’d expect for new staff. Which should be reduced from the more experienced staff targets.

why are you not on flexi time? Will that happen soon?

Speak to your colleagues
They will have tips and tricks. Often you will speed up with familiarity. Don't be hard on yourself. It's been two weeks and they have already signed you off so clearly think you are capable. Keep going. It takes 6 months to fully get into some jobs.

Depends what you’re entering, doesn’t it?

I'm Civil Service.

Our targets are daft and most of us never reach them. A few surpass them. As long as we're beavering away and not making mistakes the management never mention them.

Only been on team couple of weeks & on probation 6 months - finish on probation November this year. Want to finish probation strong and a good team worker.

Really working hard to understand & take in complex info at speed.

Was really worried that I wasn’t reaching goals - but I’ve never been given explicit goals yet so I suppose just plod on & do my best is the thing.

Goals I am listening to are from experienced colleagues not my goals.

If “they” have an issue I’m sure they will speak to me about it.

My daily testing is 100 accurate- so quality is there as signed off last week. Quality over quantity is what you’re saying as well I feel!

Just worried about how it progress's over time and want to be a solid dependable team member going forward. Still don’t understand the “stats” of it all or rather now aspirations !

Sit tight I think - head down - and just keep working is the theme of it all.

Thank you everyone for your help.

If you've been there a couple of weeks and can already do 50+ with no errors, I don't think you'll have an issue hitting 65 a day by the time you've been there 6 months

Not sure - I hit 60 this week but was absolutely mentally drained …

I am not on casework as such but I’m learning so fast as want to be a quality team person.

just initially was unsure how the stats

( aspirations) thing progresses over time.

It is quite an unusual “thing” to get your head around isn’t it?

To those not initiated in the CS work & practices it’s very very different ( to outside jobs) and I was a little - scared- that boom - next week you’ve got ? To do!

I absolutely love the CS - I absolutely love the role - I absolutely love the team - I love the work - ( I really really love it! ) it’s just that the stats per day scare the living daylights xxxx out of me … and want to get better.

Thanks for reading and responding.

OP - please don't work yourself to a frazzle. These expectations are usually set by people who have no idea what the job entails. They'll time a couple of people for an hour and set the target without thinking that people can't keep that up for 6 plus hours.

Relax. Concentrate on being punctual and accurate. Take breaks. You'll pass your probation and hopefully have a happy working life in the CS. Don't let targets rule your working day. Management don't care about them 😊

Hi really interested in fraud and it side areas - intelligence or similar to that in the Home Office. Would anyone know how to get involved especially in intelligence areas - is it through an Eoi or similar- what can I do? Which areas would you recommend? Would love to be involved at that level. Thanks.

Hmrc are recruiting criminal investigators but closing date is Monday.
Look at civil service jobs and will be on there.

There is a list of quite specific qualifications and prior experience for the roles though.