Head of Plans and Performance in Exeter, Devon World Leading
World leading provider of weather forecast and climate services; a UK Government Trading Fund under the BEIS department. Employing just under 2000 staff based in the UK and overseas with an annual revenue of just under £230M.
Foundation Scientific Software Engineer in Exeter, Devon Despicable treatment of employees and a competitive stressful environment
There are some benefits, such as a good work-life balance, at least theoretically, if you are able to forget about the stresses of the working day. But overwhelmingly working for the Met Office is an unpleasant and demeaning experience. The worst aspect above all is that I saw first hand how management are enabled by HR (who turn a blind eye) to take favourites and propel them through progression and great work opportunities, and on the other side of the coin to choose others to stifle in their careers, i some cases I observed through subtle means but in my case active discrimination on the grounds of health. It is not at all a fair playing field for career development at the Met Office.
Promotion, or "progression" as they call it, through the "fluid" levels from e.g. foundation to standard to senior level is is open only once a year and there are often (perhaps usually) only a fixed number of spots based on the finances available from year-to-year. If you want to go for it you get literally ranked against everyone else applying, which is humiliating. Only management get to vouch for you except an application form, so if management don't favour you there's little you can do.
They have some of the UK's best supercomputers (Top500), yet technically are always trying to reinvent the wheel rather than using existing tools or collaborating with others on tools that would work. It is painful to experience.
The workplace culture is very competitive, where it is everyone for themselves to preserve and further their own careers rather than everyone working together as a team to achieve common goals, as you would hope for. I know this is widespread from speaking to others in the organisation in my time there, but in my own case for example, slightly more senior colleagues sabotaged my work and told me to do work that wasn't necessary, wasting many days of work each time.
I lost my dignity, reputation and confidence at the Met Office, and in the end had no choice but to leave for my own health. This company taught me to never trust anyone in a workplace environment. Suffice to say, I strongly recommend you avoid it as a potential workplace.
Business Analyst in Exeter, Devon Excellent place to work,
Would recommend people take a look at this organisation, weather is something that impacts us all and it is possible to make a real difference. Exeter is a brilliant part of the world and you will potentially improve your work life balance - fab organisation and part of the country
Contractor in Exeter, Devon Poor narcissistic leadership/Lip service to equality matters.
One of the worst organisations I have worked for as a person of colour. Systemic racism is embedded within the organisation. Bullying and harassment is rife. Most BAME staff in contractors even though the CEO keeps harping on about representation. The equality agenda is lip service and typically all of the Board are White, privileged, completely out of touch with the equality agenda.
Even when issues or concerns are raised nothing is done. Surprised they do not face more litigation.
Forecaster in Exeter, Devon Was great but has deteriorated
The Met Office was a great place to work but has become very bureaucratic with too much time spent in endless meetings, performance managing staff and generally being careful what you say so as not to upset anyone. Male staff can find it difficult to progress as they seemed to be a push on promoting female staff who often lacked the necessary skills. The open plan office space is not great and makes for constant interruption. I am glad to be out of there now.