Below you’ll find our latest Civil Service advice. Use the search function above to find guidance on your issue, or visit Get Tailored Advice to submit your own question.
Requesting Reasonable Adjustments for Civil Service Tests Hello, I have a health condition that affects processing speed and concentration. The application asks whether I need an adjustment, but I do not know what is available or how much medical detail to provide. I have previously received extra time in assessments. The vacancy includes an online…
Who May Know About an Internal Civil Service Application Hello, I am applying for another Civil Service role and have not told my manager. The vacancy is advertised across government and the application is through Civil Service Jobs. I am concerned that my manager might receive an automatic notification or be contacted before I know…
Choosing the Right Time to Tell Your Manager About an Internal Application Hello, I am applying for a promotion in another part of my department. The application does not ask for manager approval, and I have not decided whether to mention it before the sift result. My manager has previously been supportive about development, but…
Waiting After Passing Civil Service Online Tests Hello, I completed the online tests three weeks ago and the application centre says I met the minimum standard. The vacancy closed shortly afterwards, but I have not received a sift result or interview invitation. There are no new messages and the status still shows that the application…
What a Civil Service Reserve List Really Means Hello, I passed the interview and have been told that I am on a reserve list for twelve months. The email does not give my position, and the vacancy was for several locations. I have seen people online receive offers quickly, while others stayed on a list…
Responding to a Sudden Civil Service Performance Improvement Plan Hello, My manager invited me to a meeting and gave me a performance improvement plan. I had not previously been told that my performance was below standard, and my recent one-to-one notes contain no formal concerns. The plan lasts six weeks and says failure could lead…
Protecting Yourself When Performance Targets Keep Changing Hello, I am four weeks into a performance improvement plan. Each review introduces a new expectation or changes the measure used for an existing target. I met the original accuracy target, but my manager then added a speed requirement. A communication target has also changed from weekly updates…
When a Manager Refuses Occupational Health Recommendations Hello, Occupational Health recommended home working on two days each week, written instructions and regular breaks because of my health condition. My manager says the recommendations are only advisory and the team cannot support them. I have not received a written decision or any alternative proposal. My symptoms…
Responding to a Disability-Related Attendance Warning During Probation Hello, I am still on probation and have received a formal attendance warning after several short absences linked to a long-term health condition. My manager knew about the condition, but no adjustment to the trigger point was considered before the warning. The outcome letter says further absence…
Building a Probation Evidence File When You Fear Failure Hello, I am halfway through Civil Service probation and my manager’s approach has changed. Feedback is now mostly in writing, minor mistakes are being recorded and I have been removed from work I previously handled. My review notes say I need to improve, but the examples…