Clerical Officer 2020

Nekarsulm · 05-04-2020 12:55pm

mayo londoner wrote: »

Is is not €408 a week after tax? Or are you taking out a pension contribution?

Realisitically, what are the chances of working your way up to the Executive Officer rank in the space of 12 months? Whats the story with the higher scale being offered too? Is that for people who entered civil service before a certain date?

Nope, not €408 after tax, well, not for me anyway.
The figure I quoted is how much hits my bank account weekly.

Working your way up to EO in 12 months? Nope, no chance of that either.
Your probation lasts 12 months, and until that's up you can't apply for anything , not even to attend any of the available training courses.
Now, if you had applied for the open EO competition, you might get it while already working as a probationary CO, but if you did that would be a stroke of luck really.
The internal EO interviews just completed in my office building, were extremely tough.
HEO's were surprised at their level of "combative questioning" and said even they would have struggled with the questions about the competencies and expierence.
Then they threw in a few about current affairs, Brexit, what direction you expected worldwide interest rates to go etc....

Augme · 05-04-2020 1:15pm

Open competitions - anyone can apply for these. They are advertised every two years normally. Another one was due to be advertised within the next month or two. Not sure what the situation is now.

Interdepartmental - these run in conjunction with the open competitions and you need to be two years in the civil service to apply.

Internal - these are run individually by departments so can't say when they will happen for definite. Need two years service though.

job seeker · 05-04-2020 6:01pm

Green farmer wrote: »

I think the external E.O campaign was last year so, your options would be an internal campaign. Anyone know whens the next internal E.O campaign is?

August 2020 according to this post..

https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057898103/264/#post113000844

Forthebuzz · 05-04-2020 8:46pm

mayo londoner wrote: »

Is is not €408 a week after tax? Or are you taking out a pension contribution?

Realisitically, what are the chances of working your way up to the Executive Officer rank in the space of 12 months? Whats the story with the higher scale being offered too? Is that for people who entered civil service before a certain date?

You don't work your way up, you need to get promoted via campaign same as this one. I did it in around a year but only because I applied to the open Eo around the time I applied for the Co. Next open EO is due toward the end of this year I believe. And you can't apply to any internal or interdepartmental campaigns until you have completed 2 years service

yenom · 05-04-2020 11:30pm

mayo londoner wrote: »

Is is not €408 a week after tax? Or are you taking out a pension contribution?

Before tax, It's about €470 a week for year one and after 16 years, the top of the scale is about €750 a week.

I'm on CO scale number 7 and I get €473 after tax.

The EO scales are about €10,000 more a year. EOs get paid fortnightly.

GarIT · 06-04-2020 8:11am

How much you take home depends on a number of factors, including if you are married (if so, how much they earn or if they are unemployed matters) or have children under 18 or in college, if you are a single parent, if you pay maintenance, if you, your paretner or a dependant has medical expenses, if you are responsible for an elderly or disabled relative, if you get the bus to work, if you bought a bike to cycle to work, if you have to wear a uniform to work and many other factors.

The base salary is 24,104, the mandatory pension contribution is 3% or 723 in this case. That leaves you getting paid 23,381. Do a search for "tax calculator Ireland 2020" and input 23,381 as your annual salary. Some actually ask for the original figure and then you enter your pension contribution so if it does that use 24,104 and 3%.

Someone asked about higher scales. The higher scale is promotion that has to be applied for like applying to any other job and is awarded for showing that you perform to a higher level than 70% of your colleagues. There are some departments that give the higher scale automatically to the 30% who have been working the longest but they are switching over to applications instead.

06-04-2020 11:32am

So take home after tax is €408 after tax for first year COs?

GarIT · 06-04-2020 11:38am

zorro2566 wrote: »

So take home after tax is €408 after tax for first year COs?

No. I haven't checked but that could be the take home for someone who is single, has no children, lives alone, doesn't use public transport or cycle, doesn't wear a uniform.

06-04-2020 11:50am

GarIT wrote: »

No. I haven't checked but that could be the take home for someone who is single, has no children, lives alone, doesn't use public transport or cycle, doesn't wear a uniform.

Ok, I’m married with wife working and two children with my own car!

GarIT · 06-04-2020 12:13pm

zorro2566 wrote: »

Ok, I’m married with wife working and two children with my own car!

How much if any tax credits your wife has left over could have an impact, or the other way around, if you have any tax credits left your wife could use them, or if you were unemployed and your wife was using your tax credits and higher rate extension she may earn less.

You car will have 0 affect, you would pay less tax if you were buying annual taxsaver bus tickets or bought a bike through work.

Your kids might have an impact, especially if you are paying college fees or medical expenses for them.

Put your details into a tax calculator for 2020, your employer pension contribtion is 0% your contribution is 3%.

Just note too, some office don't have parking, some have limited parking and it can be awarded based on seniority, a waiting list, a raffle, applying weekly for a permit, or probably some other ways, some have ample parking but that's rare.

GarIT · 06-04-2020 6:10pm

https://download.pwc.com/ie/budget-2020/income-tax-calculator.html

This seems to cover the majority of tax credits. Do not enter a pension contribution, instead put 723 in the anual pension contribution box if it is your first year. The salary is 24104. If people could post their results without disclosing their details if they don't want to we could work out a range.

So far I've checked take home for a single person with no children or other tax credits is €397, a single person with one child and no other tax credits is €423. I don't think it will get higher than that as they are paying no income tax, just USC and PRSI.

minnow · 06-04-2020 11:18pm

If selected for CO position, is it possible to take it on a job sharing basis? If not straight away, how long before you can request job sharing?

Forthebuzz · 07-04-2020 12:01am

minnow wrote: »

If selected for CO position, is it possible to take it on a job sharing basis? If not straight away, how long before you can request job sharing?

You can request after one year

yenom · 07-04-2020 12:06am

minnow wrote: »

If selected for CO position, is it possible to take it on a job sharing basis? If not straight away, how long before you can request job sharing?

I wouldn't bank on it. I know some offices allow it after a year or so, in other offices you could be waiting years.

Green farmer · 07-04-2020 7:33am

yenom wrote: »

I wouldn't bank on it. I know some offices allow it after a year or so, in other offices you could be waiting years.

All offices do flexitime ?

Gaffer78 · 07-04-2020 7:58am

Green farmer wrote: »

All offices do flexitime ?

Not all but the vast majority

Kenbug19 · 07-04-2020 1:06pm

Does anyone know when the results from the questionnaire will be out? ðŸ˜Š

Gumbi · 07-04-2020 1:12pm

It was mentioned earlier I believe that emails would be sent out mid April.

tringle · 07-04-2020 1:43pm

Green farmer wrote: »

All offices do flexitime ?

No

Larryduff2018 · 07-04-2020 4:33pm

Gumbi wrote: »

It was mentioned earlier I believe that emails would be sent out mid April.

I'd reckon if there not out by this Friday it probably be the Friday after. Since there's bank Holidays and holy days I'd reckon results will be either before or just after Easter.

yenom · 07-04-2020 9:06pm

Green farmer wrote: »

All offices do flexitime ?

If you end up on a public counter then you don't have much flexibility. If you have to be on a welfare counter for nine, well you couldn't be coming in at ten.

Nekarsulm · 07-04-2020 11:29pm

yenom wrote: »

If you end up on a public counter then you don't have much flexibility. If you have to be on a welfare counter for nine, well you couldn't be coming in at ten.

I don't think there is flexi-time if you get a Garda station.
Even some sections of Agri have flexi, and some do not, even thought they are in the same building.
The people without flexi have more annual leave though.

tinofapples · 08-04-2020 10:19am

I'm wondering for those people placed in places without flexitime what is the number of hours in the working day ?

I'm aware in flexitime situations the working day is 7hrs and 24mins, is it the same ?

Green farmer · 08-04-2020 10:50am

If your successful, whats the story with job offers. Example, I've 5 plus years in a accounts department, but no customer service experience per the questions we filled out. Do they try and match your skill set to what jobs they need filled, or is it simply your no. Whatever on the panel, your taking next job regardless of your skillset ?

tinofapples · 08-04-2020 10:53am

Green farmer wrote: »

If your successful, whats the story with job offers. Example, I've 5 plus years in a accounts department, but no customer service experience per the questions we filled out. Do they try and match your skill set to what jobs they need filled, or is it simply your no. Whatever on the panel, your taking next job regardless of your skillset ?

As far as I'm aware it's your numbers up and matched with whatever post is available in your region, no skillset matching per say.

tringle · 08-04-2020 4:04pm

Green farmer wrote: »

If your successful, whats the story with job offers. Example, I've 5 plus years in a accounts department, but no customer service experience per the questions we filled out. Do they try and match your skill set to what jobs they need filled, or is it simply your no. Whatever on the panel, your taking next job regardless of your skillset ?

They actually dont give a #&#@ what experience you have. As above its when your number is next thats what you get. And the manager you get allocated to will know your name and thats it, they wont even have seen your application form. I get frustrated with certain things at work and am told "but you dont know how its done," yes i do. I might only be here a year but i spent 20 years working at the exact issue i am commenting on.
Rant over. I am CO but have applied for 2020 in order to move locations.

tinofapples · 08-04-2020 4:39pm

tringle wrote: »

They actually dont give a #&#@ what experience you have. As above its when your number is next thats what you get. And the manager you get allocated to will know your name and thats it, they wont even have seen your application form. I get frustrated with certain things at work and am told "but you dont know how its done," yes i do. I might only be here a year but i spent 20 years working at the exact issue i am commenting on.
Rant over. I am CO but have applied for 2020 in order to move locations.

Agreed, I was one too off the 2016 campaign but left for medical reasons combined with commute/location. I had also done the 2018 campaign but it didn't suit with treatment starting. I've applied again in the hope that if and when my number comes round I'll be in a better condition.

You're totally right about doing the new campaign for change of location, it's quicker than waiting for mobility, what region are you currently in and what are you hoping for out of curiosity ?

Best of luck too

LilacNails · 08-04-2020 4:56pm

When would u have an idea of where the job position is based and what sector? Before or after interview?

Guffy · 08-04-2020 6:09pm

Any update on the number of applicants, or will that be released with the results?

tinofapples · 08-04-2020 7:23pm

LilacNails wrote: »

When would u have an idea of where the job position is based and what sector? Before or after interview?

Not even after interview, as already said, you will get whatever role becomes available as your number has been reached.

Nekarsulm · 08-04-2020 7:33pm

LilacNails wrote: »

When would u have an idea of where the job position is based and what sector? Before or after interview?

You will get a phone call asking if you are still interested in taking up the post, and when you affirm that you are, you will be told which department you have been assigned to.
You will get the contract to sign and return, and provide your bank details.
You can request that your manager-to-be phones you with details of your duties, but they may or may not.
Typically get a message that you'll be "data inputting" or whatever.
You will agree a starting date, and be advised to turn up at 9am or whatever.
As a CO it'll take the most of a week to get you computer access, photo ID swipe, email address etc, etc.
There are computer security and GDPR courses with multiple choice answers that you must pass before you have any access to the system.

positivepenny · 08-04-2020 8:31pm

Nekarsulm wrote: »

You will get a phone call asking if you are still interested in taking up the post, and when you affirm that you are, you will be told which department you have been assigned to.
You will get the contract to sign and return, and provide your bank details.
You can request that your manager-to-be phones you with details of your duties, but they may or may not.
Typically get a message that you'll be "data inputting" or whatever.
You will agree a starting date, and be advised to turn up at 9am or whatever.
As a CO it'll take the most of a week to get you computer access, photo ID swipe, email address etc, etc.
There are computer security and GDPR courses with multiple choice answers that you must pass before you have any access to the system.

If offered a position can you defer a start date?

Nekarsulm · 08-04-2020 9:20pm

positivepenny wrote: »

If offered a position can you defer a start date?

I know they asked me when I'd like to start, and I picked a date 4 weeks later.
Could have started the following monday if I'd wished.
Don't know how far out you could stretch it, but they would have to give you time to notify your current boss ( if any) and work out your notice

Mellybelly · 08-04-2020 9:23pm

Any idea when results out?

pconn062 · 08-04-2020 9:57pm

Mellybelly wrote: »

Any idea when results out?

Mid April. Make of that what you will.

shmeee · 09-04-2020 12:08am

tinofapples wrote: »

I'm wondering for those people placed in places without flexitime what is the number of hours in the working day ?

I'm aware in flexitime situations the working day is 7hrs and 24mins, is it the same ?

9am - 5pm

Take a 36 minute lunch to get your 7.24 minutes.

But you can work up Flexi time outside of these hours then. For example, go into work at 8am and stay until 7pm.

Core hours vary, usually 10am-12pm or 12.30pm and 2pm or 2.30pm to 4pm. You have to be in the building at these times.

Guffy · 09-04-2020 12:25am

shmeee wrote: »

9am - 5pm

Take a 36 minute lunch to get your 7.24 minutes.

But you can work up Flexi time outside of these hours then. For example, go into work at 8am and stay until 7pm.

Core hours vary, usually 10am-12pm or 12.30pm and 2pm or 2.30pm to 4pm. You have to be in the building at these times.

Is there a clocking system? They're very precise times I mean, how do they keep track of it?

Nekarsulm · 09-04-2020 12:36am

Our building has a clocking system.
You must take a minimun 30 minutes break for lunch.
You must clock out and back in again for your lunch break, but you can do this from your desk, with an app on your computer.
If you want to work through lunch at your desk you can, as long as you click out for the minimum 30 minutes.
If you fail to take your 30 minutes, you lose two hours.
You can take this minimum 30 minutes anytime between 12.30 and 2pm.
You can take the full hour and a half, but obviously you must make up the hour at some stage.
You can work up 11 hours in a flexi time term (4 weeks) and take that 11 hours as a full day and a half day extra off.
Frowned upon to take it all the last 2 days of the flexi time term, as this can leave the section understaffed.

tritriagain · 09-04-2020 6:02am

Lost my job in Feb after 27 years. I'm now 46 .will my age go against me in this process.

tringle · 09-04-2020 6:18am

tritriagain wrote: »

Lost my job in Feb after 27 years. I'm now 46 .will my age go against me in this process.

No, they dont care what age you are, what gender, what you look like or anything like that. Its actually a very fair system that way. Well as fair as you can be once people are involved at the interview stage. Im older than you.

A funny aside, a few years ago i applied for and was succesful in getting a job mainly occupied by younger people. 12 of us started together, 9 in teens and early 20s. I went to a new section one day and one of the long term employees in her 30s said to me that it was great to have 3 Women in the new starters, women as in older than the usual. She said she even heard than one was even 50, wasnt that great and fair play to her. I just agreed with her and smirked, cos that was me. Honestly what was she expecting, a grey bun and a zimmer frame.

tritriagain · 09-04-2020 6:38am

tringle wrote: »

No, they dont care what age you are, what gender, what you look like or anything like that. Its actually a very fair system that way. Well as fair as you can be once people are involved at the interview stage. Im older than you.

A funny aside, a few years ago i applied for and was succesful in getting a job mainly occupied by younger people. 12 of us started together, 9 in teens and early 20s. I went to a new section one day and one of the long term employees in her 30s said to me that it was great to have 3 Women in the new starters, women as in older than the usual. She said she even heard than one was even 50, wasnt that great and fair play to her. I just agreed with her and smirked, cos that was me. Honestly what was she expecting, a grey bun and a zimmer frame.

Would the mix be mainly female or male. Or is it closer to 50 :50. I really hope I get this. Can't face the thought of being unemployed for much longer and opportunities are going to be slim now

tringle · 09-04-2020 7:03am

tritriagain wrote: »

Would the mix be mainly female or male. Or is it closer to 50 :50. I really hope I get this. Can't face the thought of being unemployed for much longer and opportunities are going to be slim now

Ive been in two departments. The first one was about 2/3 female, mostly long serving. New intakes were 50 50 and all ages. Youngest there starting with me was 18 and oldest 61. Department i am in now would be an even mix and all ageds. It has a high turnover of staff.

tritriagain · 09-04-2020 7:17am

tringle wrote: »

Ive been in two departments. The first one was about 2/3 female, mostly long serving. New intakes were 50 50 and all ages. Youngest there starting with me was 18 and oldest 61. Department i am in now would be an even mix and all ageds. It has a high turnover of staff.

That's great. Thanks for the info. As a matter of interest, why do you think the staff turnover is high?

Green farmer · 09-04-2020 7:21am

tringle wrote: »

No, they dont care what age you are, what gender, what you look like or anything like that. Its actually a very fair system that way. Well as fair as you can be once people are involved at the interview stage. Im older than you.

Good to hear as I'm middle aged as well

tringle · 09-04-2020 7:45am

tritriagain wrote: »

That's great. Thanks for the info. As a matter of interest, why do you think the staff turnover is high?

A number of factors, location (including no parking) , overworked, public office, restricted flexi, poor management, lacking of training, cliques. Just for a start.

Sad Professor · 09-04-2020 8:00am

tritriagain wrote: »

That's great. Thanks for the info. As a matter of interest, why do you think the staff turnover is high?

Low pay is main reason in Dublin.

09-04-2020 8:41am

tringle wrote: »

A number of factors, location (including no parking) , overworked, public office, restricted flexi, poor management, lacking of training, cliques. Just for a start.

I'd add boredom and the incredibly repetitive nature of a lot of the work and I mean incredibly;)
I've worked in the private sector all my life where I had a lot of responsibility, made decisions, supervised staff, worked with Regional Manger and CEO, showed initiative,had weekly meetings/progress updates with staff and worked to a definite plan.
I'm a CO since January and I find the work itself is the biggest issue. Money is crap but I'm a lot closer to home now that's good (this was the biggest reason I left private sector in Dublin) , Flexi time is great but overall the work is a head wreck because there's no challenge. There's nothing I can do about this - it is what it is.

Management is poor, there are no meetings to let us know if a work practice has changed, you just hear it from a colleague. There are no weekly staff meetings and zero training. The application process bears no resemblance to the work you end up doing. No point in saying you "dont like repetitive work" because that's what you'll be doing. Maybe this is just in my Department but I'm guessing its widespread.

I'd say this suits many people, its easy and there's no stress, but the way my brain is I need a challenge and to be active. You are definitely a very tiny cog in a very very big wheel. 3 people I started with resigned in first 3 months. They were in their thirties and fifties and worked in the private sector before. Its not the easiest transition.

Pros and cons to everything I suppose, boredom is the biggest issue for me.

tringle · 09-04-2020 9:26am

I spend over an hour in the car each morning half of which is just sitting in traffic. I pay to park my car. And i just get abuse all day long from the public. The manager seems to change our job spec monthly and once you feel you have got the hang of what you are doing you get moved to another section.

I was TCO in another department. A 5 minute drive from my house, in the summer i cycled. Free parking, very solid training and a great gang to work with and managers who listened. Only engagement with the public was a few daily phonecalls. Yes it was boring but i joined the civil service for the security and glad of it now.

positivepenny · 09-04-2020 10:00am

What departments are you guys in? I suppose getting term time depends on the office you get?

Samsgirl · 09-04-2020 10:46am

Nekarsulm wrote: »

I don't think there is flexi-time if you get a Garda station.
Even some sections of Agri have flexi, and some do not, even thought they are in the same building.
The people without flexi have more annual leave though.

I'm in a Garda station and we do have flexi.
Some offices may have to be staffed till 5.45pm but not the one I'm in.

I'm not sure about increased annual leave for those not on flexi. I think it's the standard 22 days regardless. With flexi all you're getting back is what you have worked up - to the minute. So it may appear that it gives extra days off but in fact the hours have already been worked up.

Clerical Officer 2020

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