Anyone here work for the DWP?

notalotofcash

Preferably in the Jobcentre Plus. Ive been looking for an insight into what it is like to work there and have found very little about it. Is it some Govt secret?
Pay, dress code, general culture of working there? All the bad stuff and any of the good info much appreciated. I want to go into my new job with my eyes open.

counterfeit

Pay is very transparent - it is civil service standards for each grade.

Dress code seems to be smart casual - though to be honest, I would deem it as fairly scruffy from what I see in Leeds JCP.

busy_mom_2

What exactly do you want to know? Depends what job you are doing. Dress code is smart businessslike, as for pay, grades so depends what grade you are?
I work in jobcentre plus, have done for a few too many years now. Basically a thankless job and many people on here are quick to slate jobcentrestaff. There again it's a job

scrounger_2

They all seem very miserable to me I know it may be a thankless job, but hey SMILE occasionally....

counterfeit

scrounger wrote: »

They all seem very miserable to me I know it may be a thankless job, but hey SMILE occasionally....

And how did that help original poster?

Basically, most things are on the DWP website.

dmg24

scrounger wrote: »

They all seem very miserable to me I know it may be a thankless job, but hey SMILE occasionally....

I suppose they have more reason to smile than you - they have a job!

notalotofcash

Its for an admin officer job. I think im basically going to be frontline staff dealing with people signing on.
Any info would be great really. Bit concerned about what to wear. White shirt, trousers and tie ok?
Also what does the training entail? Is there a lot of classroom environment stuff on a computer mixed with watching the staff in action?

busy_mom_2

notalotofcash wrote: »

Its for an admin officer job. I think im basically going to be frontline staff dealing with people signing on.
Any info would be great really. Bit concerned about what to wear. White shirt, trousers and tie ok?
Also what does the training entail? Is there a lot of classroom environment stuff on a computer mixed with watching the staff in action?

You don't have to wear a tie, shirt and trousers fine, you will be shadowing someone for first few days then once registered on the computers you will complete some on line training and some classroom based. The rest will all be done in the office. A lot to learn so be prepared. All offices I have worked in have been nice, same as everywhere good and bad.
Good luck. have you any customer service experience especially since what you consider good service may not be what the department agree with. Please don't think you will be able to change the world very set procedures and even if you want to help if it differers from the what the DWP lays down, just except it and move on to the next one your 4 mins will be up.......

suseh97

notalotofcash wrote: »

Its for an admin officer job. I think im basically going to be frontline staff dealing with people signing on.
Any info would be great really. Bit concerned about what to wear. White shirt, trousers and tie ok?
Also what does the training entail? Is there a lot of classroom environment stuff on a computer mixed with watching the staff in action?

Smart, business casual we were told. Yeah not sure what that means myself . The men I started training with were advised not to wear ties as they can be grabbed.
Lot of the training is computer based and you just get on with it at your own pace.

notalotofcash

Its all a bit new to me. Ive a small amount of office experience and customer service but was looking for a change in career, so i guess i will either like it or i wont.
I just wanted to go in with my eyes open. I wont try to change the world but i do intend to try and treat those people on the other side of the desk with some respect. After all ive been on that side and i know how it feels.

suseh97

Think you will be fine then. I know I have only been in the job a short while but I have had no trouble at all. I try to treat everyone the way I would like to be treated. All the long term members of staff say it is very, very rare to get a violent or abusive customer.
When do you start?