Ofqual Reviews

Pros

High level of expertise among all staff Friendly atmosphere Comfortable, up to date working environment Potential to move up and across departments and gain new skills Managers very open to helping with further training and education Insights Discovery training days for all staff Excellent pension

Cons

Some of the office space is a little *too* open - have to use break-out spaces for quick private conversations

Advice to Management

Stay the course and continue good leadership Continue being as open with staff as possible.

Pros

Ofqual is a small organisation that clearly punches above its weight. Colleagues are friendly and committed and there is a real sense of community.

Cons

Because its so small opportunities to progress within Ofqual are a little limited. However, managers do support peoples development well and as part of the wider Civil Service, opportunities do come up for those who want them

Advice to Management

Keep empowering and engaging with staff

Pros

Policy shaping role, some great people, increasingly more outward facing, HR department and in house training are great, office is nice and IT provision good.

Cons

Some people, particularly in the senior team are doing what they have always done and don't always listen to or understand the impact of their work.

Advice to Management

Please listen more! There is real talent and commitment amongst the personnel at Ofqual and they are not always acknowledged as being as valuable as they are.

Pros

Flexible working, and good holidays

Cons

Elitist, senior people have similar backgrounds, lacking diversity especially in Senior roles. Typical Senior Civil Service. Good opportunities if you fit the profile background. Also not doing the job it is supposed to do.

Advice to Management

Stop paying lip service to the values you pretend to aspire to. Start doing the job you are supposed to be doing.

Pros

Talented staff. Some managers have a positive approach to flexible working. Rare expectation of working over-time .

Cons

Ofqual is a poor model for the Civil Service. It does not value its staff - preferring to recruit-in talent than build on the skills of existing staff. Ofqual suffers from loss of retention - re-structures are often used to cover executive mistakes and shed non-compliant staff. Many staff have complained of or fear being bullied or victimised if they complain or do not comply with Senior Management. Many wish to leave...

Advice to Management

The end game for Ofqual's business will be reached far more effectively if you invest properly in staff motivation.

Pros

The office environment is comfortable. There is free parking. Many of the staff are friendly and approachable. There appears to be a substantial budget for training and equipment.

Cons

The organisation seems to lack strategic focus and direction. There appears to be a compulsion or addiction to restructure, reorganisation and change. There are far too many managers and directors for the size of the organisation, many with very few or no staff. Some Associate Directors earning c.£70k and Senior Managers earning £45k have very little responsibility and accountability. There is far too much time spent...

Advice to Management

Focus on output and outcomes rather than process. Develop an appetite for taking risks.

Pros

Good work / life balance; Good pay and extra pay for working at extra hours; Nice people to work with;

Cons

Not a good choice for some one looking for job in London; The recruitment info goes internal first. Not easy to find. .

Pros

It is rarely dull and you'll work alongside some extremely intelligent colleagues. You get the chance to shape Government education policy on exams and testing.

Cons

Very insular and inward looking. There is a culture that if very fearful of failure and has no appetite for any risk taking, no matter how small. Business processes are poorly defined and a lot of the time it feels like you're flying by the seat of your pants. While people here have a lot of intelligence (IQ) there is a lack of emotional intelligence (EQ) particularly in the higher levels of the organisation.