Want to move department but no mobility in public sector job

L

LucyTru

Registered User
Messages
18
Good morning
This a question for anyone working or who previously worked in the public sector. I'm working in a horrible office. The office manager is highly strung and the atmosphere can be tense and negative. I'm desperate to move. There is no mobility in the sector I'm in. I've strongly hinted to my Line Manager that I'm unhappy here but he's very dismissive. How do I get out of here? Any ideas? I dont want to go back to the private sector as I really need things such as parental leave/parents leave and the shorter working year scheme being a parent. Is there a way around this? Has anyone found a way?
 
Hi,

Never worked in the public sector but have been told recently that it is necessary to wait two years before applying for a transfer. A relative working there has mentioned that even their supervisors appear to apply to the panels advertised on publicjobs.ie if they want to move or try for a higher grade.
 
ClubMan said:
Not even one of these fits your needs?
Click to expand...
None in my area/grade. I'm sure there are loads in Dublin and bigger towns etc but I live in a smaller area
Sue Ellen said:
Hi,

Never worked in the public sector but have been told recently that it is necessary to wait two years before applying for a transfer. A relative working there has mentioned that even their supervisors appear to apply to the panels advertised on publicjobs.ie if they want to move or try for a higher grade.
Click to expand...
Oh gosh, ok thanks I guess I just have to keep an eye on public jobs website, I do get updates but tricky now with recruitment freeze
 
Consider secondments. May not be in your exact area but could provide valuable experience if another suitable position opens up.
 
ClubMan said:
I doubt that there is any silver bullet given these limitations?
Click to expand...
Maybe not, I know a lady who couldn't handle where she was and got on to HR and was moved. I guess I would have to have a good reason and I would only do so if I felt my mental health was further affected
 
Itchy said:
Consider secondments. May not be in your exact area but could provide valuable experience if another suitable position opens up.
Click to expand...
Do I approach my Line Manager about this or is this something that staff are approached with as required I wonder?
 
LucyTru said:
Good morning
This a question for anyone working or who previously worked in the public sector. I'm working in a horrible office. The office manager is highly strung and the atmosphere can be tense and negative. I'm desperate to move. There is no mobility in the sector I'm in. I've strongly hinted to my Line Manager that I'm unhappy here but he's very dismissive how do I get out of here? Any ideas? I dont want to go back to the private sector as I really need things such as parental leave/parents leave and the shorter working year scheme being a parent. Is there a way around this? Has anyone found a way?
Click to expand...
Could you be a bit more specific about your circumstances?

Is it the civil service or HSE or some other public agency?

Are you in a clerical/administrative position or something more specialist?

You’ve hinted that, geographically, the options are limited. Can you expand on why this is?
 
Sue Ellen said:
Never worked in the public sector but have been told recently that it is necessary to wait two years before applying for a transfer.
Click to expand...
Generally speaking, a person wouldn’t be considered for a transfer within two years but that’s more for operational reasons. They’re really only getting to grips with the job in that period.

It’s not written in stone however. People are often moved in circumstances where it’s obviously the correct thing to do e.g. if for some reason it’s causing the person unreasonable stress.
 
Last edited:
Salvadore said:
Could you be a bit more specific about your circumstances?

Is it the civil service or HSE or some other public agency?

Are you in a clerical/administrative position or something more specialist?

You’ve hinted that, geographically, the options are limited. Can you expand on why this is?
Click to expand...
Geographically I live in an area a good bit away from the big towns and cities. I cant be very flexible as I have small kids. I'm in admin in the HSE and there is a recruitment freeze.
 
LucyTru said:
Geographically I live in an area a good bit away from the big towns and cities. I cant be very flexible as I have small kids. I'm in admin in the HSE and there is a recruitment freeze.
Click to expand...
Well unless you’re willing to move location, your options will always be limited, regardless of whether or not there’s a recruitment freeze.

If your work circumstances are seriously stressing you out, it’s reasonable to highlight this with HR and they would be obligated to respond.

But if it’s just a case that you’re not as happy as you feel you might be in another job, you’re limited to opportunities that might arise within your own location.

The HSE should have a policy on transfers on its intranet. It’s among the documents you should have been given when you started.
 
Limited yes but there are other departments I know in or around my location who are understaffed which is the frustrating part. Thank you for your input.
 
Bear in mind that your entitlement to things like parental leave and parents leave is an entitlement under law and not simply confined to the Public Sector.

Most major multinationals are far more flexible these days in terms of home-working so it may be worth having a conversation with some agencies to see what is out there.

The other option may be to to manage your boss out the door. I know of a case where staff member in a quango complained so much about their senior manager that he got moved to a post with no staff
 
Wouldn't suggest going to HR unless you have clear evidence of bullying, and even then, I wouldn't.
Important to differentiate between somebody being "negative" and "highly strung" and bullying also

If you won't move location to some extent you can't really complain imo. If it was bad enough, then you would move anywhere, I speak from experience
 
I never mentioned bullying and I hadn't intended on going to HR. I am just wondering if anyone else was in the same position as me and if things got better. Thanks for your comment
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top