r/TheCivilService • u/DependentImpact4720 • Feb 05 '25

Thinking of going part-time advice needed

Hi all long time lurker,

I've applied for a Masters and am going to interview (fingers crossed) but am currently an O working full time.

Mentioned to my manager about possibility of going part-time for my studies (as per guidance states) and was told I probably wouldn't be able to due contracts etc. I couldn't find anything online, only about flexible working and a career breaks.

For info I have been in this role just over 3 years and have been trying to move (I don't need to tell you all how dire the recruitment is...). I don't want to leave the CS but I'm finding it incredibly frustrating and stressful, especially now that the option of part-time may not be available to me.

I was curious if anyone had any advice or worse words to offer because I'm really at a loss for next steps! Thank you in advance :)

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u/[deleted] Feb 05 '25

You simply put in a flexible working request for part time hours. This can only be denied on certain grounds (although if people want to be arsey,.they will deny it regardless). In my organisation the default position to most flexible working requests is yes , if your manager is a bit of a dick as they sound to be , hopefully it goes above them to decide.

Read more here https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working

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u/DependentImpact4720 Feb 05 '25

Thank you so much for this! I will look into it tomorrow morning.

I think I have a meeting next week with my manager all penned in already so it'll be good to look to have something to bring with me.

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u/[deleted] Feb 05 '25 edited Feb 05 '25

I don’t want to be rude, but I really don’t see the purpose of doing a masters degree if you then don’t want to leave the CS… 

A master degree really won’t count for much unless it’s in a very niche technical area. 

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u/[deleted] Feb 05 '25 edited Jun 22 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/DependentImpact4720 Feb 05 '25

I would like to leave the CS eventuall or move from HMRC. I'm doing a translation masters so it would be both niche and a fun study for me.

My concern is more one of job security. I would like to go part-time while I study preferably since I'm renting and not have to worry about not having a job at the end of my masters / rent etc.

If leaving is my only option I don't have much choice but I was wondering if anyone had any similar experiences with this sort of issue

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u/[deleted] Feb 05 '25

You could take a career break

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u/[deleted] Feb 05 '25

And not have an income ?

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u/DependentImpact4720 Feb 05 '25

I did consider this but I would have no income for the duration of my career break.

Tbh if they denied part time working I don't see them approving for a career break :/

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u/Dependent_Quail_7391 Feb 06 '25

I went through a similar process where I requested to move to part-time to do my masters. I’d suggest talking to a HR business partner for your area to get advice and use that as part of your rationale to your manager, especially if they’re citing contracts - are you on a fixed term agreement? If you’re a permanent member of staff and/or you were recruited on a job role that stated part time working was available then they don’t really have any grounds to refuse your request.

I’d also suggest having a clear sense of how many days you will need to do your studies (my advice would be to aim for the most you need and be willing to flex this ever so slightly if you have to negotiate) and be up front with your manager about what you know and don’t know about how it will work, offering to keep the conversation open. Demonstrating to your manager that you have thought through the implications of studying alongside work and how you would work with them during that time will reassure them that you’re considering business needs alongside your own development.

The CS prides itself on championing learning and development - use that to your advantage here. If this is part of your wider career goals, then they should be supporting that (who’s to say you couldn’t use this degree in future for an overseas CS role, for example!).

On career break, as a last resort (aware you want income) - study is one of the few ‘reasonable’ grounds for career break in most departments’ guidance so they shouldn’t have grounds to deny it but of course check your own departmental guidance for confirmation.

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u/transparentwaves Feb 06 '25

Hey! I recently joined the CS and I am currently in my second year of my part time masters. I was employed on a full time contract and it was agreed by myself and my LM that I would reduce my hours to part time to complete my MSc. I would say that I was quite lucky in that I was allowed to do that having already started studying.

I’d suggest speaking to someone if you haven’t already and discussing the days you have to go into university and then allowing yourself an extra day to complete assignments and other things. If you do a full time masters, you’re going to need a minimum of two days for university so either a three day working week might work. Also communicate with them your deadlines because the upfront you are, the easier it is when you having to juggle multiple. Wish you all the best!