Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Clerical Officer in Dept of Social Protection?

  • 05-09-2019 7:54pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37


    Anyone have any experience working with social protection as a clerical officer.

    Would love to hear the pros and cons?
    Can you do flexi time?
    Do you get good training?
    Are you thrown in with dealing with the public straight away?


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 395 ✭✭whampiri


    Booella69 wrote: »
    Anyone have any experience working with social protection as a clerical officer.

    Would love to hear the pros and cons?
    Can you do flexi time?
    Do you get good training?
    Are you thrown in with dealing with the public straight away?

    I did it for a number of years up to an through the recession. To answer 2-4, yes.
    Flexibility, permanency and job security, possibility for promotion and education are the big bonuses.
    Negatives include: being forever vilified by everyone and the media. Taking crap from customers who believe that you have personally messed up their "wages", can be very high pressure at times, no bonuses or rewards for work done over and above.

    Overall I'd recommend it but I'm risk averse meaning I'd prefer a stable job to taking the possibility of earning higher amounts but being unsure if I have work the following week.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 Booella69


    Thanks for your reply Whampiri. Nice to hear some positives and negatives. I think I am just panicking a bit, as social protection wouldn't of being my 1st choice for clerical officer and I'm hoping I don't hate it. I still have to go through with vetting and references process yet. Thanks again.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 395 ✭✭whampiri


    Booella69 wrote: »
    Thanks for your reply Whampiri. Nice to hear some positives and negatives. I think I am just panicking a bit, as social protection wouldn't of being my 1st choice for clerical officer and I'm hoping I don't hate it. I still have to go through with vetting and references process yet. Thanks again.

    Pm me your location and if im about I can meet you for a chat


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,181 ✭✭✭✭billyhead


    I presume its an Intero office your going to? I worked in one in a middle management capacity for a number of years. Its a very busy working environment. Lots of changes too in terms of technology and legislation, procedures to follow. The technological changes could have quietened down somewhat since left;). My advise would be to be patient with all the training. It will come to you eventually. You will need to familiarize yourself with all the acronyms which at the beginning of your career there will be a lot to take on. Overtime was sometimes available when I worked there as you can be dealing with huge caseloads. One thing I found was the great camaraderie and support amongst the workers which is invaluable.


Advertisement