Civil service staff- never give their names.

  • Thread starter SlurrySlump
  • Start date
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SlurrySlump

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Why is it, that when you ring any civil service/government department, the person answering the phone never gives their name? Are they supposed to? Also why is it, that when you write them a letter you get back a handwritten compliments slips with an elligible signature?
 
civil service

The reason they don't give their names is because if they give you information and it turns out that it is wrong, so there is no comeback for you and they are safe from getting into trouble
 
Civil Service

Have you actually asked for their name and been refused?
What do they day when you ask?
 
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It's human nature.

Did you ask for the name specifically? If so they should have given it to you.

I always find it useful to ask the person's name - disguised as way of informalising the encounter e.g.

"Who am I speaking with?"

"Bridget Jones"

"Hi Bridget, my name's Spacer, I was wondering if you could tell me ......"

I find this approach is more productive without seeming threatening. It doesn't work on all ocasions but if the response is such that a complaint is warranted, at least you have their name.
 
Revenue Commissioners- Mary speaking.

I absolutely agree. But, should they not give their name automatically without being asked as most companies do. Why should a person have to ask? It can be really annoying when you ask a difficult question only to be put on "hold" and then the phone line is mysteriously disconnected. Try getting the same individual back!
 
I have obtained the names of civil servants that I've dealt with by phone and post on several Revenue queries in the past so I don't think that there's any general policy of non identification in place in the civil and public services.
 
I may not like what some of them tell me but it is rare indeed that I would be refused name & also direct dial phone number
 
I have obtained the names of civil servants that I've dealt with by phone and post on several Revenue queries in the past so I don't think that there's any general policy of non identification in place in the civil and public services.
Click to expand...

Can anyone else see the irony in this ? lol

I've heard of some people that have rang the revenue about a query and have got different answers from different people. Ring up three times with the same question, and you'll get three different answers. There is also no accountability. Nice.
 
> Can anyone else see the irony in this ? lol

Not me anyway.
 
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Why ring three times if you got an answer the first time?
 
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A reply to my most recent correspondence with the Revenue (Collector General, Sarsfield House, Limerick) arrived in the post today and is personally signed by the person who has been dealing with my query to date.
 
Re: ..

Why ring three times if you got an answer the first time?
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The first and second time didn't instil much confidence. The revenue officials seemed uncertain in their answers. (Wasn't me that rang up BTW, just a report I heard.)
 
Re: ..

Of course, Revenue do explicitly point out that they are not in the business of providing advice, that the assistance voluntarily given by officials by phone should not be exclusively relied upon, and that complicated matters should be addressed in writing and/or referred for professional advice.
 
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