software engineer

scientist

meteorologist

infrastructure engineer

senior scientist

Met-Office

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.

I work in the engineering functions of the Met Office. A typical day could include mechanical and electronics assembly and fault finding through to parts procurement logistics and quality management documentation.
The Met Office offers a good starting place for a career in engineering giving a relatively gentle introduction to this field of work, but ultimately the work is routine.  If you wish to really challenge your technical skills and knowledge you are likely to struggle to find this type of challenge within most of the Met Office engineering work. 
Quality of management is quite mixed, but this is due to mangers generally not having the autonomy and control of resources to make effective decisions, they are hamstrung by restrictive government procedure. This particularly affects the engineering operations of the Met Office as they comprise a very small part of the overall organization and are often the poor relative.
The Met Office has great values and principals, Unfortunately the reality often falls short of the hype. Terms and conditions are in many areas quite good but salaries can be poor.  Anyone looking at engineering in the Met Office should bear in mind that this is an organization that focuses on meteorology, and limits its engineering work to what it has to do to supports its main focus.
The hardest part of my job is accepting that the Met Office hasn't and can't deliver the type and quality of work that was described in the job I applied for and took on.
The best part of my job is its unique nature and variety of work.

Supportive Team:
The Met Office provides a supportive team environment where collaboration is key, fostering a sense of camaraderie among colleagues.

Encouraging Growth:
There are ample opportunities for professional growth, with a supportive framework that encourages employees to expand their skills and take on new challenges.

Positive/Calm Environment:
The workplace exudes a positive and calm atmosphere, creating an environment conducive to focused work and effective problem-solving.

Continuous Learning:
Working alongside seasoned professionals in meteorology has provided constant opportunities for learning and skill enhancement

Fulfilling Contribution:
Contributing to the understanding and forecasting of complex atmospheric conditions makes the job incredibly fulfilling.

Overall, the Met Office not only offers a stimulating professional environment but also prioritizes the well-being and growth of its employees.

A typical day for me was to go in meet my manager and to be briefed on what I was doing throughout the day because each day change, this made it have a variety and made it new. Also I learnt so much for example; how a workplace works, or how it was like to be in an office as well as all my skills for forecasting and using I.T equipment. The management was very sophisticated and my colleagues were very friendly and ask me if I had any questions if so they would answer in a very simple way so that I could understand. However the hardest part of the job was the long day and trying to overcome problems on my known because I was in a very hard working place therefore the work was to a very high quality. But the most enjoyable part of the job was that my work was read on radio and used on that day.  

A very well managed organisation that focusses on employee engagement and skill evolution.  There are very few organisations that i have worked amongst in my 30 year IT history that are able to attain the right balance.  The Met Office are one of those exceptional organisations.  There are significant challenges to deliver, there are some very clever people there with opposing views but 99.99% of the people there are prepared to work together as a team to achieve the common goal.  There was only one person in the organisation that opposed that view, which when you realise there were thousands in place is not bad!
On site Gym, music groups, languages, + many more social interest groups.  Working there is very much like working in a Uni halls of residence.

The first impression about the Met Office was the high level of organization, especially for a new worker. The Met Office supplies the worker all he needs to work properly, like efficient IT assistance, willingness from the personnel and all the other scientists. 

This experience has been an opportunity either to increase my ability in programming and problem solving and to improve my English having to speak every day with English native speakers.

The hardest part of the job consisted in problem solving issues that I mostly had to tackle on my own.

The best part of the job was the result that I managed to achieve, being the data that I produced shown on the website of a project the Met Office is taking part to.

The Met Office is losing its way. It's not interested in change, and doesn't even realise how outdated it is - especially the technology.  Management do their best to keep everything exactly the same, often bullying staff who show initiative. If you fit in, things are tolerable. If you don't - it's made very clear.  Pay has fallen behind the private sector, considerably, with forecasters expecially treated like second class citizens. Too many middle managers who feel they're important, but are afraid of making any kind of decision. Hence nothing ever gets done.  There are far better places to work. 

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.

I feel part of a community working at the Met Office. In the current Covid climate, it has been difficult to integrate with my new team, due to the non face-to-face contact. However, I was given a well-thought induction on commencing employment, and have support where and when I need it to a) Perform my role effectively and enjoyably,and b) Integrate into the new organisation.

I also appreciate the investment in staff and development opportunities given to me. The Met Office seem to be a supportive and quite dynamic, forward-thinking employer.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Positive team experience and training on offer

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Lack of management direction and senior managers out of touch with those lower down in the structure 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Environment is good. Culture is more based on being in the 'right' group

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Meetings and planning and writing papers as needed

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Software engineer 24 salaries reported	£33,557 per year
Scientist 25 salaries reported	£37,296 per year
Meteorologist 11 salaries reported	£42,355 per year
Infrastructure engineer 12 salaries reported	£38,125 per year
Senior scientist 9 salaries reported	£44,276 per year

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