The 2021 Awards saw six individuals win a Lifetime Achievement category. From the seventies, eighties, nineties, noughties, teenies and twenties, our winners share their memories of how the workplace has changed over time.
Thirty years ago, the Civil Service was a dramatically different place. Many people joined straight from school, got paid weekly in a brown paypacket, junior grades had their own office, no employee had a computer (everyone relied upon a typing pool), and many enjoyed a full day off for Christmas shopping. Below, our Lifetime Achievement Award winners round up some of the biggest changes across the Civil Service since joining.
‘I waited four years for a computer!’
David Gott, Head of Ministerial Correspondence (Rail), Department for Transport
I joined the Civil Service in 1985, when you only had to be an HEO to qualify for a personal office. My first desk didn’t have a computer (I’d wait another four years for that), and I didn’t get an email account until 1999. We had masses of paper filing, of course. Whole rooms were devoted to files - some well-organised, some not.
We had someone whose only job was to do the photocopying for us. She was an AA, but she had a personal room, and we had to justify to her why we needed a copy of something. It wasn’t a particularly busy role and she finished a lot of novels and magazines during working hours.
Any important corporate information used to be published in a weekly bulletin, and one copy was circulated around a team of 20; if it got left on someone’s desk, it might be weeks before you saw it. And, if you wanted a new pen from stationery, you had to demonstrate the old one had run out of ink.◼︎
‘Your grade determined the size of your desk!’
Jacqueline Byrne, Delivery Team Leader, Department for Education
I joined in 1985 as a Clerical Officer (an EA today) at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Back then, your grade determined the size of your desk as well as how many drawers you were entitled to!
The Civil Service was much more formal and at that time we weren’t encouraged to speak to SEOs and Grade 7s unless they spoke to us first - and we never got anywhere near Deputy Directors, which is entirely different to the way it all works now. Women tended to be in more junior grades, and it’s great to see how this has changed to really reflect our diverse workforce.
I think new joiners have a wider range of opportunities now and aren’t constrained by the rigid grade structures from the 80s. The Civil Service has also come a long way in how it supports work-life balance and offers flexible working patterns.
I believe the Civil Service is a great employer. I’ve had a great working experience (apart from a couple of challenges!), have worked with some amazing people and witnessed how the Civil Service has evolved. I’m glad I responded to that advert in the Evening Standard 37 years ago - even though I thought I’d only be here for a year or so!◼︎
‘I’d join the Civil Service all over again - no question’
Dr Jo Gillespie, Deputy Director of Policy, Strategy & Recovery (Resilience Emergencies Division), Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
When I joined in 1987, Mrs Thatcher was PM, there were no mobile phones, no computers and everything was paper-based. The biggest change is how technology has changed the delivery of our core functions. Back then, computers were limited to the labs and guarded as something for the world of ‘the scientist’.
We had typing pools and carbon paper, and you needed to plan days in advance for getting stuff typed and know correction markings. In those days, the idea that we could deliver citizen services in any other way than ‘in person’ was unimagined; I am sure people remember the joys of queuing in the post office to renew car tax.
In my first job in 1987, the teaspoon (note the singular) in the laboratory kitchen was chained to the sink. All paper (and I mean everything, including toilet paper) was stamped HMSO and people could smoke in offices, although not in the lab - things weren’t quite that unsafe. The Civil Service has certainly moved on a fair bit since then.
It is different today, the breadth of opportunity is greater now in terms of career, location and flexibility but that does come with less certainty than when I first joined. That said - I’d join the Civil Service again, no question.◼︎
‘New joiners may have to move around too much to get the [same] opportunities’
Professor John O'Hagan, Group Leader, Department for Health and Social Care
When I joined in 1975, we were a small part of government covering radiation with 300 employees. Most people knew each other and it was very much a family atmosphere. As I move towards retirement, I’m in an organisation of 10,000 people covering all aspects of health security.
Learned on the job
Career progression was assured in the early days, especially for us scientific staff. It was accepted that you learned on the job, gained expertise and were able to contribute more to the work and represent the organisation externally. I’m pleased that the Heads of Science and Engineering Profession network is recognising the importance of in-role development; we do need deep specialists in government.
Two major things would surprise readers to know. In 1975, smoking was generally allowed in the workplace (and working with chain smokers was very unpleasant). I had a small part to play in limiting smoking to shared areas in our own building, and then implementing a ban on smoking indoors long before legislation. It surprises some that I was issued with luncheon vouchers while I was under 19, which could be exchanged for one meal per week in the site restaurant.
I really feel I went through my career at the right time. Opportunities arose on cue. I feel privileged to have had my post-school education funded by my employer: Higher National Certificate, degree, then PhD. I worry new joiners may have to move around too much to get the opportunities I have had. ◼︎
‘I’m not quite finished yet!’
Robert Buckley is an EO serving with Border Force based in the south east
The Lifetime Achievement Award is a tremendous accolade, and in my view, reflects the quality of the officers I’ve worked alongside over the years. I’ve had many career highlights and this is certainly up there with them. In terms of ‘lifetime achievement’ I would add ‘thus far’ - I’m not quite finished yet!
I started my anti-smuggling career in 1982. One of the major changes that I’ve witnessed first-hand is the disparate, evolving nature of organised crime groups and their constantly changing smuggling methods.
When I joined, there were annual departmental and national Civil Service sports days, held at locations throughout the country, bringing together colleagues in a social and sporty environment. Always a great day, attended by all grades across the disciplines. Would I trade places with a new joiner today? 100% - I’d do the whole lot again without a second’s hesitation.◼︎
‘I can’t top a lifetime achievement - I’ve retired!’
Sharon Cardwell, former Senior Officer, HMRC in Scotland
A lifetime achievement award is quite a pinnacle in my career, however now it’s not possible to top it in my working life - as I have since retired! ◼︎
Calling all veteran civil servants?
Are you a long-time civil servant? If so, what are the biggest and best changes you’ve seen? Let us know and contact lorraine.mcbride@cabinetoffice.gov.uk and we’ll share a selection of the replies. ◼︎
10 comments
Comment by Jane Lyes posted on
I joined HMRC in October 1976 based in PD9 in Ty-Glas, I was only going to stay for a year while I decided what I wanted to do. But life in PD was the best! We played hard but we worked hard too! It was a place and time when you never heard people moan about being in work. It was a "happy" place to be. Colleagues I met then are friends for life. If someone fell a bit behind with their work we would all pitch in to help. We never needed to be told. And yes we had a day off for shopping at Christmas, a half day for the group Christmas meal, a half day for the office meal and a half day for the floor party. But we appreciated it and never had problems meeting our targets. Concards were such a big part of our lives. It was the norm to have 5 pigeon holes of files on your desk and a shelf in the cupboard all with a piece of post in. But they were all worked and worked properly. The golden days. Sadly I hear it's a much different place to work now. I am now partially retired and work on Hidden Economy
Comment by Joseph Taylor posted on
I started in the Inland Revenue (which later became HMRC) in April 1986. In 2006 I joined the Customs division of HMRC in Dover. It was a cultural change in that I was clambering into the back of lorries in the middle of a night shift or 6 am on an early shift instead of sending out income tax bills from a warm office or repayment cheques (Payable Orders). HMRC then morphed to UK Border Agency and then onto Border Force. I have enjoyed my many years as a Civil Servant and one thing that some of my colleagues are not always aware is how well we are cared for by our employers. Of course in return I have given loyal and diligent service. From 1986 when I joined to present day, I have always been treated fairly and consider myself lucky to be a Civil Servant to one of the most powerful governments in the world. I have no regrets and have enjoyed every moment. I wished I had joined the Border Force earlier in my working life. It can be great fun catching smugglers.
Comment by Wilma Tolmie posted on
I joined the MoD in 1990 as an AA at Army HQ Craigiehall, near Edinburgh as a filing clerk. No telephone or computer then. Only one small desk in a very large room with only one window and five enormous walk-in safes. Yes, I had to memorise the combinations! They were full of shelves containing hundreds of files. Plus, I had a large index card system sitting on my desk. All very different then. I have also worked in DIO Head office Sutton Coldfield and RAF Buchan. Now I work in Rosyth, mostly processing invoices and updating spreadsheets on a laptop connected to a large monitor. Working from home due to Covid-19 keeping contact with my colleagues on Skype or my mobile. Oh! how the technology has advanced. I often wonder what my first line manager would think of it all. Best of all are all the people I have met in my 30+ years as a Civil Servant.
Comment by Sally Dewhurst posted on
I started as a temporary AA at Redditch Jobcentre in 1985, then 'passed the panel' to start at Selly Oak Benefit UBO in 1986. I was 18 years old and on my first day there was a bulk delay of giros and 250 customers were in the port-a-cabin, all shouting and swearing at me. I cried when I got home and told my mum and dad! And here I still am 36 years later...and still being sworn at on the National Advance Line! However I love my job and love helping people, and will probably be here until I retire 🙂
Comment by Andrew Buckley posted on
I started at Crewe DHSS during the winter of discontent in 1979. On day 2 the trains went on strike and I had to borrow my Dad’s car and drive from Manchester. In the fog I went the wrong way down a dual carriageway near Middlewich. Only a guardian angel extended my career beyond one day. In week 2 it was our turn to go on strike. Everyone suddenly put their coats on and walked out. This was a problem as I’d only just joined. I was up and down the stairs like a yoyo not sure what to do. Within the first year I was put on ‘insurance officer’ duties and now in year 44 I’m back to ‘decision making’ and still loving every minute.
Comment by Carole Lovstrom posted on
Great blog! Love your story David. I started in 1982 and in Brixton Benefit Office we had to hand our old pens in to be able to get a new one. No personal computers then only a "punch room" with ticker tape.
Comment by Jodie Dewsnap posted on
I started my career in the "Machine Room" in an Unemployment Benefit Office in 1986 producing said ticker tapes! Great days, apart from the day a claimant tried to climb through the window in front of my machine because the office had closed (3:30 on a Friday) and he'd missed collecting his giro!
Comment by Martin Coe posted on
This is a great blog.
I joined the MOD in 1988 and i can remember going to a presentation about the paperless office and the way its going to be achieved.
It has taken some time, but elements of it are now in day to day use. After various postings in London/Portsmouth and Southampton, would I do it all again? At this time, I really don't know.
Comment by Dawn Lennie posted on
The blog is fab. I remember so much of this going on. Typing pools, loads of paper files etc. I joined in 1983 as an AA at a local office when we were still DHSS. You only had a phone on your desk if you were an AO or above, and there were no direct lines, everything came via a switchboard to a phone extension. I remember feeling really modern and up-to-date having a phone with push buttons, as at home we still had one with a dial. All payments were made to customers by order books or giros (and I'm sure if you went down to Leeds Market, you'd have been able to find hundreds of these lying around as that where all the customers used to tell us they'd lost them when coming in for a replacement). The customers pay day was determined by the last two numbers of their national insurance number (0-24 Monday, 25- 49 Tuesday, 50-74 Wednesday and 75-99 Thursday). I still have nightmares about working out customer entitlement manually with just a form and a calculator. How things have changed.
Comment by Sarah Haynes posted on
I remember the same Dawn. I joined DHSS in 1987 as an AO and sat next to a smoker with an ashtray on her desk. There was a little room with the switchboard and typists and I had to manually calculate National Insurance using tables.