Subject to investigation without being notified

[TheFaQQer]

I have no idea what most of those acronyms mean

[obviousthrowaway]

I have no idea what most of those acronyms mean.

SIRO = Senior Information Risk Owner, the person who owns the risk for information assets within a government agency or department on behalf of the ...

AO = Accounting Officer, the most senior civil servant who is mandated by the Secretary of State to run a service

CS = Civil Service

My issue is I can't hunker down to do my job as my job is investigations and information protection. That I know about it is in itself a breach of the rules I'm there to enforce. A catch 22 for me.

As for changing my role, I have generic service supply contract as a specialist and can be deployed onto any programme. I still have the same job title etc.

What does D&C mean?

[vadhert]

I would keep calm and carry on invoicing until you are asked to enter the process.

[northernladuk]

SIRO = Senior Information Risk Owner, the person who owns the risk for information assets within a government agency or department on behalf of the ...

AO = Accounting Officer, the most senior civil servant who is mandated by the Secretary of State to run a service

CS = Civil Service

My issue is I can't hunker down to do my job as my job is investigations and information protection. That I know about it is in itself a breach of the rules I'm there to enforce. A catch 22 for me.

As for changing my role, I have generic service supply contract as a specialist and can be deployed onto any programme. I still have the same job title etc.

What does D&C mean?

D&C is Direction and Control. You can be told what to do by the client rather than you supplying a set agreed scope of work. It's one of your main IR35 defences against being identified as a disguised employee. Am a little surprised someone in a senior civil service role in the current climate doesn't know this. I don't know the details of your contract but anything 'generic' tends to give me the heebie-jeebies. A PM could have a generic title and be pulled on to any project the client wants. Not a very good position to be in at all... anyway...

I don't know enough about the complications of your situation and it sounds extremely political and complex so my simple supplier under investigation model probably doesn't work.

Sounds like you could probably do with looking at this though.

[DijStra]

D&C is Direction and Control.

Durrhhh ... Sorry never seen it expressed like that but I'm not a typical contractor. Most of my contracts are >24 months, with the civil service and have been inside IR35 for as long as I can be bothered to check. I just ramp the rate up to compensate so it makes no difference practically.

As for job boards I don't use them and all my work is on referral, hence I'm worried about an investigation and the impact that it will have on future roles. Despite the 16 years of contracting I'm still a newbie when it comes to the stuff you guys and gals do.

[FatLazyContractor]

Your worst case scenario can be no worse than a contract termination.

Are you expecting them to put you through their investigation procedure? You are a contractor, aren't you?

[obviousthrowaway]

D&C is Direction and Control. .

Should have known that but I'm not a typical contractor unlike you guys and gals I'm not much of a contract warrior. My roles are normally >36 months, and have been assessed on two occasions as inside IR35 it not something that bothers me. I just ramp up my rate to compensate.

As for job boards in last 16 years I've only ever got roles by personal recommendation hence the investigation is really important to me get resolved, exit or not.

[FatLazyContractor]

Should have known that but I'm not a typical contractor unlike you guys and gals I'm not much of a contract warrior. My roles are normally >36 months, and have been assessed on two occasions as inside IR35 it not something that bothers me. I just ramp up my rate to compensate.

As for job boards in last 16 years I've only ever got roles by personal recommendation hence the investigation is really important to me get resolved, exit or not.

Do you work through your own limited company or through some other means?

[northernladuk]

Should have known that but I'm not a typical contractor unlike you guys and gals I'm not much of a contract warrior. My roles are normally >36 months, and have been assessed on two occasions as inside IR35 it not something that bothers me. I just ramp up my rate to compensate.

As for job boards in last 16 years I've only ever got roles by personal recommendation hence the investigation is really important to me get resolved, exit or not.

OK that makes more sense. I can see why it's a big issue if it comes with reputational damage as well.

Would it not be an idea to try and let this pan out quietly then as per process and not advertise it by trying to get other people involved. I know it's not much help but I can't see for one minute anyone at any level heading off investigations in the civil service. Closing this type of stuff and not following process hits the papers enough. Mr Blaire is in the news for possibly circumventing school admissions. Can't see a supplier at any level having the ability to hide things under the carpet.

Anyway, nothing else I can add to this now so good luck.

[obviousthrowaway]

Your worst case scenario can be no worse than a contract termination.

Are you expecting them to put you through their investigation procedure? You are a contractor, aren't you?

Termination is not what I'm worried about, staying when the environment is toxic is. I've never terminated my contract early before and am concerned about the impact it might have on future roles given its a fairly small world.

Yes they have now (just by email) confirmed there is an investigation although they won't say into what and indicated that they expect me to take part in it as though I were a permanent civil servant (just without the protections they get I guess).