Firoza’s journey – 35 years working at DWP

Wow, what a journey it's been! I can't believe it's been 35 years since I first walked through the doors of DWP. Back then, I was an eager 18-year-old, thinking this job was just a temporary stop before diving into banking. Well, here I am, 35 years later, and I'm so glad I stayed.

Firoza Kasujee (Fiz)

My adventure began in an Unemployment Benefit Office (UBO) in Leicester East Bond Street as an Administrative Assistant (AA).  My role included chief giro writer, dormant files filer and I fondly remember I accumulated a fair few data input rejections to my name too, (I wonder how many of you remember them). I enjoyed the role so much that within three months, I was promoted to Administrative Officer (AO). Since then, my career has been a whirlwind of growth and excitement. I've never stayed in one role for too long, always moving around, meeting amazing people, and taking on soul-satisfying roles.  One of my most memorable roles was with the Disablement Advisory Service (DAS), this is where my passion to work with stakeholders and partners really took a life of its own.  Working with the DAS team gave me the foundations to do what I do today in the world of Employer and Partnerships.

The arrival of the internet and changes in our recruitment process created a whole new world of accessible roles within the Civil Service.  This meant that you could now apply for any role anywhere in any area of the Civil Service and not have to worry about your management chain approving you for promotion.

DWP, with its 92,000-strong workforce, is a treasure trove of diverse opportunities. I've always valued the work-life balance the DWP offered me, especially while raising my three children.

I'm passionate about Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) and have been an active board member of the DWP Muslim Network since its launch in December 2019. I've given many presentations to raise awareness about micro-behaviours and their impact on colleagues. While I appreciate the department's commitment to valuing everyone, I believe there's still more work to be done.  I am keen to continue playing my part in this and supporting others to get involved too.

I think DWP is a fantastic employer and I have benefitted from flexible working hours, a five-year career break, a rewarding pension, and numerous opportunities for development and progression. Our development programs are top-notch, supporting our diverse colleagues and recognising that everyone has unique needs.

Our dedication to supporting our most vulnerable customers in overcoming barriers to work is unwavering. We've helped countless individuals achieve financial independence, and I'm incredibly proud of our collaborations with employers, stakeholders, and partners. Building networks across the Black Country, working together on our policy commitments and supporting vulnerable groups has been deeply rewarding.

So, after 35 years, what does the DWP mean to me? In the words of my colleagues, "She eats, sleeps, and breathes DWP." What more can I say?

By Firoza (Fiz)