Civil Service Career Break

penwise

I am currently on a career break from the Civil Service. It is now coming to an end and I would like to extend it for another year - but my concern now is -
Will I get back in if I do this ?
What happens if redundancies occur while I am out?

Does anybody know what the current situation is for civil servants who are currently attempting to return at the minute?

Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated!:)

NAR

There was a post recently painting a gloomy situation. Unfortunately you have no guarantee of getting back in and I reckon situation will only get worse over the next 2 or 3 years.

penwise

Thanks for the quick reply

This is worrying. I had thought that a career breaker was considered an employee and as long as I said that I wanted to return my employment could not be terminated?

jenny-wren

I wouldn't worry. As far as I know a career break is essentially unpaid leave. You should not be treated any differently from a member of staff who is not on a career break. If they treated you differently they could have a discrimination case on their hands!

There has been a lot of scaremongering about redundancies. You definately won't be placed back in exactly the same place (unless you were in a specialist post). The only thing you may want to consider is that you may be placed in a different location when you return but, if you are in a mobile grade, that could happen to anyone at anytime. I think EO1 and below are classed as mobile grades.

Have you tried talking to your Departmental Personnel?

cruesfan

The policy on Career Breaks is outined in the NICS handbook. Have a look at para 17 in this link: http://www.dfpni.gov.uk/3.08_special_leave.pdf

groove_11

jenny-wren wrote: »

I wouldn't worry. As far as I know a career break is essentially unpaid leave. You should not be treated any differently from a member of staff who is not on a career break. If they treated you differently they could have a discrimination case on their hands!

There has been a lot of scaremongering about redundancies. You definately won't be placed back in exactly the same place (unless you were in a specialist post). The only thing you may want to consider is that you may be placed in a different location when you return but, if you are in a mobile grade, that could happen to anyone at anytime. I think EO1 and below are classed as mobile grades.

Have you tried talking to your Departmental Personnel?

all of this is correct, your letter which confirmed your career break will have informed you of this. if you are nearing return the department will be contacting you to ask what your plans are, if you decide to extend i think they'll be pretty happy with this as there is difficulties at the minute trying to place surplus staff.

NAR

AFAIK every Dept has declared a surplus of staff for the current round of cuts exercise.

one2escape

I dont know all the ins and outs of things but the question I would ask if there is a surplas of staff (and it will get worse with the budget next year as per NIPSA reps) how would career break staff get back in? I don't want to be a negative person though! The general thought here would be think carefuly.

penwise

Thanks for all the help!

In a redundancy situation people on career breaks will be considered under the same terms as serving members of staff - Does this mean that if redundancies occur career breaks cannot be used in the selection process for deciding who to make redundant and that I will be treated exactly the same as serving members of staff at my grade in my department?

NAR

If you are asking will those on career breaks get deferential treatment, then you need to ask HR/Personnel for the definitive answer.
FWIW my guess is no.

penwise

I was hoping that if redundancies did occur career breaks could not be used in the selection process for deciding who to make redundant and that we would be treated exactly the same as serving members of staff of the same grade - in whatever way that will be at the time.