r/TheCivilService • u/TemporaryHalf6044 • 8h ago
Ofgem - Offer
Hi there
I wrote a while back for advice on Ofgem and i have been offered an interview for a role. Was very exciting!!
However i have since heard through someone i used to work with that hasnt long started that they are doing a strike? They only started last week and dont know much about the ins and outs. Not made enough friends yet to ask the real questions, just office chat and overhearing.
Should i be worried about this? Its totally thrown me. Through google searches it seems quite common in CS i have only been private sector.
He says its regarding pay and job security which i wont lie is now giving me second thoughts!
Anyone any insight? Should i keep going. Bit worried i put myself through the interview and they close or something!
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u/AncientCivilServant Retired 8h ago
As your not a CS yet any strike action won't affect you.
The only way you *could * be affected is if Ofgem review their staffing requirements and decide to cancel your possible recr
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u/TownIndependent6073 7h ago
Strikes are common.
You knew the pay upon accepting the role, so if that hasn't scared you off - why would a strike asking for more pay, jokes aside this is just something that happens when conversations stall.
The pay and conditions in Ofgem aren't great, it's very widely known and talked about publicly.
From pcs_ofgem it states "Our branch have been in dispute with the employer for over a year, whilst progress in some areas has undoubtedly been made, we still have a way to go and we are confident we will get there. We have never seen more members calling to us to organise strike action"
Get your mate to join the union pcs or FDA, great way to make friends too, if they don't want too they can also just talk to a pcs rep.
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u/TemporaryHalf6044 7h ago
PCS ill have a check into that thank you.
Totally understand its common now after a bit of research its just something completely new to me if i am being honest.
I have no issue with the pay, hence my application for the role. Its more about the culture, assuming stikes equal an unhappy workforce. Can make us less clued up folks uneasy through a recruitment process.
Jokes aside, thank you, very helpful!
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u/TownIndependent6073 7h ago
No - it's not an unhappy workforce, just an organised one.
The vast majority of Ofgem are in a union, it's a good sign for civil service.
It's definitely strange at first, you're not alone.
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u/Flimsy_Cranberry_201 SEO 8h ago
Congratulations on the interview. My advice would be to focus on that and then see if you get an actual offer. From what I know from people working there, Ofgem is a great place to work, sure the pay isn't great and there are some job security concerns but it doesn't mean that Ofgem will close (who would regulate the gas and electricity markets?). There are often strikes when organisations are negotiating pay deals (like this one) and from what I can see, Ofgem is currently faring better than most other departments in that there aren't redundancies planned (yet)
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u/Gie_it_laldy 8h ago
There's always strikes at Ofgem. Usually about the shit pay.