Clerical Officer duties?

C

ClarkCeant

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Hello, I am new to the public service. . I asked during interview (because I got the impression that the department is media/advertising related and I generally don't fit in this type of environment.) I asked if the job was office based because I don't want to be pushed into walking the streets of dublin handing out flyers, or working weekends either. I was pretty much assured that no I would not be, the only time I would leave the office is you know optional things like christmas parties. I have a contract that I signed before working for them doesnt say anything of substance other than I have to do what ever duties they think are relevant. I know the best thing will be to 'talk to my line manager' but I know they are pushing me to do the things that they did not mention during interview and they will replace me if I am too much bother which does not worry me either. Am I wrong here on boundaries for a clerical officer? My idea of 'clerical officer' is you do admin work all day and phone call duties if your department deals directly with public. ie clerical work. Or do they just call everyone on low pay 'clerical officer'.

The question I want to ask is - can they say to me - tomorrow you have to go to x town in ireland because there is a publicity event going on there? I am a temporary clerical officer and can afford to walk and live on my resources if things get difficult but I don't want to start kicking up a fuss yet.. Thanks for any opinions or advice!

(Edited from 'not needing the money - to ' can afford to walk and live on my resources' )
(Edited to remove reference to events manager)
 
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I’m puzzled as to why you took the job, actually even applied if you don’t need the money.

And I don’t think event managers hand out flyers
 
Ok well you edited your post. And you do need/want to work.

I suggest you try it out and see if you are asked to do “event manager” jobs at weekends. What makes you think that’s on the cards? What part of the public sector?

I was a CO many years ago in the civil service, as were several of my family. No events management and no flyers. Not that I’d have minded, be a nice change from sitting in an office and as a new entrant I’d have taken on any roles asked,
 
Why do you think they lied at the interview? Have you started yet and have you been asked to work outdoors and at weekends?
 
Travel can be part of any job - so supporting an event in another location would definitely come under admin duties in most roles
Job descriptions these days are really not narrow and fixed to the extent of "filing and data entry" and it provides a lot more variety, career development opportunities and experience for employees
 
I don't know the area your working on but handing out flyers seems very 1980s. I'd assume social media is used a lot.

A clerical officer is the entry grade in most of the public service. You do tasks associated with the department. In my area staff have to arrange lunch, tea and coffee for interview boards. From time to time they have to attend hotels for recruitment fairs for example.

Other area wouldn't have any requirement for this, for example payroll.

My office is closed at the weekend but there are certain offices that require clerical staff to work weekends, for example the ED in a hospital.

Every office is different.
 
Assuming you’re in the civil service, the range of duties you can be asked to perform as a clerical officer can be fairly broad. The level of responsibility at which you’re required to perform is fairly low. This is the level you’re at.

If you really (and i mean really) don’t like the nature of the work you’ve been assigned, take it up with your HR asap. Their likely response is that any inferences you took from the interview are purely coincidental. However, rather than listen to you moan incessantly, they may be minded to move you to an area more consistent with your expectations, personality and unique qualities.

Alternatively, if you’re a real pain in the jacksee, they’ll manage you out during probation and wish you well for the future.

My advice? Meet the job at least half way and don’t come across as an entitled Karen/Kevin. You can always apply for a transfer after a couple of years anyway.

If you intend hanging around for any length, this is the best advice you’ll ever receive. Whether you act on it is entirely your own business.
 
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Interesting the replies on here. I won't reply to the two most ignorant ones. This sort of question when I have seen it asked by others always a small percentage who are abusive or support abusive management styles. But anyway I am surprised I got some useful replies thank you to those that put some thought into it. I personally don't see how its acceptable that a manager can lie to you during an interview and then you have to suck it up or else you are a moaner. We used to have unions that prevented this. Anyway I think the approach to take is the one I am taking - meet them half way. Incidentally speaking of moaners, I have never heard so much moaning by people as I have heard in the public service job that I am in. Its how they deal with the abuse. The abuse is abusive management practice not necessarily abusive managers. Anyway, life is short you can say to an employer 'look I dont think this is what I signed up for lets see if we can work it out' My query was over really how does this approach work in the public service. I reckon it probably doesn't work, and you get called a moaner or seen as a problem. One thing I have noticed is that people are happy to be treated as 'temporary' clerical worker yet are so institutionalised they will do anything the employer asks!
 
I do find your post confusing.
It would be helpful if you could provide clarity on what happened so that people could respond.
Clerical duties can mean a lot of things, and different locations / departments are so varied. We really need context and clarity
A manager lying during an interview? About what?
You have to suck it up or you are a moaner? - what is the context?
We used to have unions - we still do, plenty of them
People are happy to have a temporary clerical job and be flexible about requests - i fail to see institutionlised (sp) in a temporary capacity so I really think it is not a fair point to make.
 
The OP has written two lengthy posts and if anything I'm even more confused after the second one. It's clear as mud to me what's gone / going on; whether the OP has actually been asked to do stuff they didn't think they were signing up for, or whether they've gotten themselves all wound up over a hypothetical...

I reckon @Leper might be the man to decipher it for us...
 
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