Category Archives: Public service

In which I wonder if anyone will take our place …

Posted on February 23, 2011 by redundantpublicservant

The following post first appeared in Patrick Butler’s cuts blog in The Guardian on line on 11 February. It is reproduced here by kind permission of The Guardian. Being made redundant implies what you do is no longer needed. For many public servants … Continue reading →

Posted in Big Society, Guardian Society, Public sector, Public service, Redundancy | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

In which I get things into perspective …

Posted on February 18, 2011 by redundantpublicservant

Fellow fans of Douglas Adams will be familiar with the fiendishly cruel Total Perspective Vortex. A device developed by a man exasperated by his spouse’s constant nagging to get a sense of proportion. By clever use of fairy cake he … Continue reading →

Posted in bad news, Public sector, Public service, Redundancy | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

In which my jaw goes thwock …

Posted on February 13, 2011 by redundantpublicservant

Sometimes you read something so extraordinary that despite re-reading it two or even three times you still doubt your eyes. I’ve just had that experience when reading a two-page piece in today’s Sunday Times – Time to Tackle Council Excess. … Continue reading →

Posted in people management, Public sector, Public service, war on the deficit | Tagged , | 2 Comments

In which we all hold our breath …

Posted on February 1, 2011 by redundantpublicservant

There’s a moment before any action when you take that deep breath to calm your nerves and fuel your muscles. The pause before whatever has to come next. I’ve felt a similar sense of tingling expectancy out in the woods … Continue reading →

Posted in fairness, HR departments, memories, Public sector, Public service, Redundancy, rejection letters, rules and regulations, war on the deficit | Tagged , | 11 Comments

In which there are four weeks left to go (and one of those is half term!) …

Posted on January 31, 2011 by redundantpublicservant

So I’m down to my last month of corporate life in its current incarnation. And in reflective mood. There is a saying that it’s the things you don’t do – rather than the things you do – that you regret … Continue reading →

Posted in bureaucrats, CSR2010, Public sector, Public service, war on the deficit | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

In which I get out and about …

Posted on January 18, 2011 by redundantpublicservant

As my notice period has worn on and work dried up there’s been fewer reasons to leave home each day. Of course most of us are pretty fully focused on trying to sort out what happens next so having time … Continue reading →

Posted in 2011, Coalition, job hunting, kindness, Public service, war on the deficit | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

In which there are six weeks to go …

Posted on January 17, 2011 by redundantpublicservant

Well it’s very much the final run in here at RPS Towers. A strange calm has settled over us. I suppose in classic grief cycle terms we’re at acceptance or more accurately resignation. No amount of hooting or hollering will … Continue reading →

Posted in Coalition, job hunting, Public sector, Public service, Redundancy, war on the deficit | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

In which I contemplate the year ahead …

Posted on January 1, 2011 by redundantpublicservant

For as long as I can remember in my professional life each January 1st found me without any great curiousity about the year to come. If you think the world will keep turning and keep its same old shape. If … Continue reading →

Posted in 2011, bad news, Coalition, CSR2010, Public sector, Public service, Redundancy, war on the deficit | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

In which I revisit my little list …

Posted on December 29, 2010 by redundantpublicservant

This time of year always prompts some self-reflection. Pausing in the hallway between the old year behind us and the new one in front to do a quick self-check in any available mirror before moving on and out. So I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in 2011, Interim management, Job applications, job hunting, pensions, private sector, Public sector, Public service, Redundancy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

In which I recall the AC days of 2010 …

Posted on December 28, 2010 by redundantpublicservant

2010 PC – pre-coalition – may be a little blurred in my memory but the events After Coalition are seared into my consciousness with a vivid clarity which will be hard to lose. Seasoned folks in my organisation – and … Continue reading →

Posted in 2010, CSR2010, Public sector, Public service, war on the deficit | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment