Probationary period - is it over or isn't it?

[MitchT]

The OH started a new job in February. Her contract stated that there would be a six month probationary period, but didn't mention what would happen at the end of it. Three months in the director over her department told her she'd have 'nothing to worry about', four months in the head of her department told her she'd passed, but after six months she received no word either verbally, or written, from HR and has been wondering what's going on. She's chased HR about three times to get something in writing and, on the last occasion, was told 'something will go in the post this week', but that was a good four weeks ago now and she's still had nothing. Her department head told her they're so busy that they can hardly keep up with the expanding headcount, which is why they probably haven't got round to writing to her, and she's getting on very well there so there's no real cause to worry, but having been royally pissed about by her last three employers she's anxious to have something in writing from this one to put her mind at rest.

Does anyone know what the score is here? Can you assume that your probation is over if your contract states six months and no one has told you after six months that your probation is being extended, or does your probation continue indefinitely until you're told in writing that it's over?

[DoubleSix]

The conditions of employment appear to have been set out clearly, and met by your partner. What is the problem exactly?

[MitchT]

Basically just that she hasn't had anything in writing to confirm that she's passed her probation, her anxiety being exacerbated by the appalling way she was treated by her last three employers.

[DoubleSix]

oh ok, well to answer your question you can assume she is no longer on probation. I've never known of a formal acknowledgement as the terms are set out in your original contract.

[edc]

What do the T&Cs state specifically about the probationary period?

The T&Cs I issue state that the probationary period is only deemed complete when it is confirmed in writing; that the period is typically X months but may be extended.

[Engineer1]

To be fair the probationary period is largely irrelevant given you don't get real employment rights till after 2 years employment.

[edc]

Engineer1 said:

To be fair the probationary period is largely irrelevant given you don't get real employment rights till after 2 years employment.

It is not necessarily irrelevant. It is in 99% of company cases used as the trigger point to additional benefits be that enhanced contributions to pension, membership of the pension scheme at all, healthcare or health insurance, dental, death in service, company sick pay, study leave and funded study, bonus schemes, salary sacrifice schemes etc etc.

[TIGA84]

Take it as read that she has passed, they can't retrospectively apply an extension due to unsatisfactory performance, if she had failed or there was cause for concern, it would have been flagged a long time ago.

I really wouldn't worry too much.

[MitchT]

Thanks all.

TIGA84 said:

Take it as read that she has passed, they can't retrospectively apply an extension due to unsatisfactory performance, if she had failed or there was cause for concern, it would have been flagged a long time ago.

I really wouldn't worry too much.

This is basically what I've said to her, she's just the worrying type.

[Jasandjules]

Is there any additional benefit she attains from the completion of probation that she is missing out on.

[pikeyboy]

Dont you usually have some sort of review with your manager and hr, thats how its supposed to work at my place.

[AGK]

Get it in writing.

I made that mistake and assumed as I hadn't been told there was an issue that I was out of it however at an employment tribunal it was decided I was still on probationary as I couldn't prove I had successfully completed it. I did have a glowing appraisal but it did not explicitly state that my probationary period was completed even though my employment contract stated it was 3 months.

[MysteryLemon]

Isn't a probationary period basically just their way of saying "if you're st, we can sack you off" without any comeback?

I've sometimes had an appraisal at 6 months but never anything in writing to say I've passed.

[AGK]

They've got two years but in my case my employer claimed I hadn't passed as there were benefits I was meant to receive upon completion that he wanted to avoid having to pay.

[Rude-boy]

OP, your Mrs sounds like my Mrs.

First she knew about the likelihood of her having passed her probation (other than lots of approving comments and very few clarifications being required) was when she was asked by her boss to get involved in the organisation of the Christmas fate (which will not be happening until probationary period + 2 months).

She has a meeting with the Boss next week to formalise things but has been told that she isn’t going to hear anything she will not like and they know she likes her job!

Anyway, in our case we are looking at remortgaging in November so I have suggested to her that it would be an idea to ask him to confirm that she has passed in writing so that this can be shown to the lender if asked for without delay. You might suddenly feel the need to remortgage yourself and your wife may feel the need to ask for a formal letter of conformation to provide to the lender with your application...

[MitchT]

Panic over! She chased it with HR again this morning and in due course had a message from her boss saying the letter had been in his drawer since early September when he'd been given it to pass on to her. Oops!