Vantaggi
During my interview, after having answered the interview panels questions, in relation to the 4 Civil Service Competencies, I had a few questions of my own such as: 1. How long the training will last? The answer was 4 weeks but the group was only given 2-week training and the standard expected was beyond reasonable and ridiculous. One of the members of Staff was quickly reading from the slides when delivering the Training for over an hour. The Module required us (The Group) to have access to our own Smartcards, but due to the highly disorganised Department, we were given a Smartcard when all of the Training was complete and were required to deliver our role ‘to the very highest standard competently and adequately’. Also, when she was delivering the Induction, especially in relation to the Fire Alarm and & Bomb Alarm procedures to be followed when such a situation arose. She was constantly looking at me when mentioning the Bomb Alarm procedure like as if I have a tendency to commit such an act and disregarding the 8 employees who were present in the same room, who need to be informed of the same procedure if such a situation arose. Her approach should've been to inform all members of staff and not single me out like that. However, then she has the audacity to state that she has undertaken the 'unconscious bias' and recommends others to do the same. One of the members of Staff, who was delivering the Training, did provide a great job given the circumstances she was placed in, clearly said that she hasn’t been told as to what our role requires, as she was given a short notice and couldn’t deliver the Training completely, due to the group not being given access to the necessary resources, such as a Smartcard. Another member of Staff, who was delivering the Training, did provide an outstanding job, however, he didn’t tell us how to update the relevant system completely. It was for this reason that the Line Manager could not see the cases, which we had done. Therefore, over 100 cases had to be re-assigned and updated again correctly, so each team member was assigned 20 cases to ensure that they are updated correctly. A third member of Staff, who was delivering the training, provided an outstanding job. He clearly said to the Team Leaders that the standard of work expected from the new starters is beyond reasonable, due to them having no prior benefits experience and expecting them to carry out their own role of Data Gatherers and simultaneously ask for evidence from customers, is the role of a Processor and not a Data Gatherer. Therefore, our sentiment was shared by him which was comforting. 2. Whether there is a Prayer Room? I was told that that the Panel understands that ‘People of my faith and Community Perform prayers. Therefore, it’s not something I should have to worry about’. Also, one of the members of Staff said that there are ‘like-minded individuals like yourself and prayer mats are available’. However, this was far from the truth as there was no ‘Prayer room’ or ‘Prayer mats’ and I hardly met such ‘like-minded individuals.' I've never met such a blatant liar in my life.
Svantaggi
-No access was given to the relevant resources, such as Smartcards or access to the relevant systems at the start of the role, yet we were required 'to carry out our role competently and adequately'. -Even though Bank statements were provided to the Panel, during the interview stage, we all still had Payroll issues for approximately 4 weeks. -Highly disorganised -Constantly being observed by Team Leaders, especially when I used to go to perform my daily prayers. -Legitimate concerns regarding bullying and harassment are brushed under the carpet. -Members of Staff are very selective regarding whom they enforce relevant Policies, relating to Bullying, Harassment & Inappropriate Mobile Phone Usage. For example, mobile phones are strictly not allowed at desks within the Service/Contact Centre. One of the members of Staff made it clear on 15/10/2018 that mobile phones cannot be used or taken out whilst an employee is at their desk, as we will have access to confidential information which needs protecting. Therefore, by adhering to a no mobile phone policy at desks will enable the DWP to deliver the trust and confidence that citizens and other organizations have come to expect from a leading government department. Two team members had their mobile phones out at their desks. The former was making a Snapchat/Instagram video of me, whilst I was dealing with confidential information. The latter was showing me pictures of disabled members of the Royal Family, to substantiate his point regarding epilepsy arising out of close cousin marriages. A team-leading member of staff clearly saw him with his phone being taken out at his desk. However, she came over but didn't say anything to him. This is a clear example of Senior Members of Staff deviating from enforcing the relevant policies, which are in place to protect customer information. Management was informed but did nothing, and as usual, brushed it under the carpet. Both Team Members have been former Civil Servants: the former was an employee at DWP and the latter was an employee at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. Therefore, the Standard of Behaviour required from Civil Servants is known to them. However, they failed to adhere to the required standard, therefore, both are clearly not exemplary Civil Servants. -At the start of the role, the focus was on quality and not quantity, however, that changed and the focus was on quantity and quality was being ignored.I dealt with such cases which were completely wrong including the customer's address. -All EO Team Leaders are from a predominant ethnicity and are female, the same applies to HEO's because everyone at that level is female, whereas the only 'Equality & Diversity' is at the AO Level, which is mainly ethnic minorities on Fixed Term Contracts. A prime example of certain roles reserved for certain types and kinds of people, therefore, structural racism. -Treated as a number rather than a person. -No Breaks are given when working overtime on weekends, therefore, causing strain to one's eyes and resulting in headaches. -Private discussions, which are confidential, are disclosed to other members of staff via Skype. -Busybody and Gossipy culture -Conversations are always being eavesdropped by Team Leaders and Team Members -Required to bootlick Team Leaders and Senior Employees to be acknowledged, rather than let one's work ethic and effective time management skills speak for itself. -A Team Member was recording me secretly without my consent and placing me onto his Social Media and subjecting me to mockery and ridicule. Management was informed but decided to brush it under the carpet. - Another Team Member was caught speaking behind my back and when confronted she lied. Thereafter, I told her to take an oath in her mother tongue, she lied under oath and stuttered. Needless to say, Management was informed but decided to brush it under the carpet. However, when I handed my resignation, she was instructed by a managerial member of staff to carry out a cynical performance, to give me the impression that 'her behaviour has changed' therefore 'the matter is being taken seriously'. -A third Team Member was always observing me throughout the whole time. I even caught him through my peripheral vision and looked at him to let him know that I can see you constantly staring at me. He quickly looked away and fixed his eyes to his screen to give me the impression that he is working, which was far from the reality. Management was informed but decided to brush it under the carpet. -I was constantly given dirty looks and stares by the above Team Members, due to them being unable to get information out of me regarding my private life. Also, they viewed me as a rival rather than a team member, my work ethic and many hours of flex credit was causing them 3 a great deal of concern. -Senior Management instructed the above 3 to carry out a cynical performance of ‘changed behaviour’ when I gave my resignation, so I’m given the impression that my legitimate concerns regarding ‘Bullying and Harassment’ are being taken seriously when they have been disregarded for a month.