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Civil Service

A great place to work

A range of blogs illustrating the theme of the same name, one of the four supporting pillars of the vision of 'A Brilliant Civil Service'.

The strapline for this theme is: "A brilliant Civil Service - a great place to work. It will continue to be inclusive, flexible, modern and connected, sitting at the heart of a wider public service. In everything we do we will encourage openness, challenge, innovation and excellence."

The three other pillars of the vision are: Improved outcomes; Effective leaders; Skilled people.

Me and the pink elephant 

Image of a pink elephant

To mark OCD Week, Alexia Cowley myth-busts a condition which is often misunderstood and provides top tips for anyone experiencing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I’m going to ask you to try out one thing.  Don’t think of a pink elephant. I …

How to break through in the Civil Service: our top tips

Images of work discussion

Colleagues from the Department for International Trade’s Digital, Data and Technology team share their tips for career progression and promotion Are you stuck in a career cul-de-sac? If so, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Our Diversity and Inclusion group recently …

World Menopause Day 2021

Angela MacDonald explains that for many women who struggle with health issues approaching, during and after the menopause, it’s good to talk. Yesterday, Monday 18 October 2021, was World Menopause Day (WMD), a day to raise awareness and keep the …

Baby Loss Awareness Week - Our stories so far 

Image of Katie James-Manning on her memorial bench

This year’s theme for Baby Loss Awareness Week - from 9 to 15 October - is wellbeing.  Katie James-Manning and Helen Mallison, who were impacted by their experience in different ways, reflect on what personally helped them. KATIE’S STORY I’m …

The power of workplace adjustments - Ruth's story

Ruth Wylde, Senior HR Policy, Services Consultant, CSHR,

Chris Wilson discusses the launch of the Civil Service campaign Workplace Adjustments Change Working Lives and explains how making changes helped one civil servant to continue her career. Even making small adjustments can dramatically improve our lives in the workplace.  …

5 Lessons from the Forces about getting things done

Image taken from the famous SAS Embassy Raid

When Rupert Cryer joined the Cabinet Office COVID-19 Task Force, his new colleagues - from the Armed Forces - couldn’t have had more different day jobs. Yet the stark contrast was the very thing that made it work. I’ve often …

Hacking the Future

Image of a startup

How the Modernisation and Reform Champions are using new ways to build the future of the Civil Service together The Civil Service Modernisation and Reform Programme recently launched with the publishing of the Declaration on Government Reform. Cooperation and collaboration …

New beginnings in the Civil Service world of wellbeing

Image of sunshine breaking through trees

Wellbeing is at the heart of Civil Service culture, and post-pandemic, it has never been more important. Sarah Healey, the new Health and Wellbeing Champion, lauds our recent achievements and looks ahead to new priorities including the upcoming Civil Service …

Living with loss: A little message goes a long way

Image of grave surrounded by flowers

When Keela Shackell-Smith was rocked by her mum’s death, she founded The Grief Cafe to bring bereaved staff together, and her subsequent blog struck a chord with you. Now she’s back, determined to help staff who lost loved ones during …