Long Probation Period?

[Big_Dan]

Friend has been offered a senior role

3 rounds of interviews and 2 sets of technical tests (not IT)

6 months probation with 1 weeks notice

Is this usual?

[Scrump]

Yes

[Countdown]

Yes.

Also the fact that Companies can get rid of people within the first two years makes probation periods a little irrelevant.

[parabolica]

Countdown said:

Yes.

Also the fact that Companies can get rid of people within the first two years makes probation periods a little irrelevant.

Can be a big difference in notice pay between probation and not on probation though.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I've always believed all employees are on probation at all times. That's the system I used when I was a working dude.

[dibblecorse]

Yep, standard across many industries.

[crofty1984]

Probation was a year at my place.

[vaud]

Yes, though you may be able to negotiate the probation period up to be 50% of your notice period.

Also ensure that your review with management are clearly timetabled (though not contractual) so that if you aren't performing you know before the 6 months is up.

IANAL.

[whitesocks]

Countdown said:

Yes.

Also the fact that Companies can get rid of people within the first two years makes probation periods a little irrelevant.

I always though that Companies could choose how long the probation period is?

[Countdown]

whitesocks said:

Countdown said:

Yes.

Also the fact that Companies can get rid of people within the first two years makes probation periods a little irrelevant.

I always though that Companies could choose how long the probation period is?

I suppose they can, but why would they make it any longer than it needed to be?

[Big_Dan]

Thanks all

I've never seen a probation period that long, and benefits (pension, health etc) don't kick in until probation is completed

Not exactly a warm welcome, is it?

[StevieBee]

Countdown said:

whitesocks said:

Countdown said:

Yes.

Also the fact that Companies can get rid of people within the first two years makes probation periods a little irrelevant.

I always though that Companies could choose how long the probation period is?

I suppose they can, but why would they make it any longer than it needed to be?

What it 'needs' to be is determined by the nature of the role.

But companies can use extended probation to hedge their bets as it's sometimes easier and cheeper to dispense with someone on probation than it is with someone that isn't.

[Monkeylegend]

Big_Dan said:

Thanks all

I've never seen a probation period that long, and benefits (pension, health etc) don't kick in until probation is completed

Not exactly a warm welcome, is it?

No but at least your friend is the one to determine if he wishes to accept it or not.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Big_Dan said:

Thanks all

I've never seen a probation period that long, and benefits (pension, health etc) don't kick in until probation is completed

Not exactly a warm welcome, is it?

Probably wouldn't want to make a fuss at this stage, but I wonder if it's legal not to auto enrol in pension? Anyhoo, the answer is to get stuck in and your mate to make themselves invaluable!

[Aftershox]

Big_Dan said:

Friend has been offered a senior role

3 rounds of interviews and 2 sets of technical tests (not IT)

6 months probation with 1 weeks notice

Is this usual?

Normal

[Piginapoke]

Aftershox said:

Big_Dan said:

Friend has been offered a senior role

3 rounds of interviews and 2 sets of technical tests (not IT)

6 months probation with 1 weeks notice

Is this usual?

Normal

This- normal

[CharlesElliott]

I think it must depend on industry. I've worked for investment banks for 25 years in IT and only once (when I first started) did I ever have a probation period.

[Origin Unknown]

It's very common and from my own perspective, every person I have ever hired (client-facing roles, technical, sales, pm, customer success) has been on 6-month probation, the company policy is 3 months. By the time folks have been through onboarding, developed a sufficient understanding of products and propositions and navigating the business, that's the three months gone. I need another three to make sure they can do the thing out in the field.

Incidentally, I've just moved to another company, my probation period is 6 months.

[sociopath]

Perfectly normal, but doesn't mean he can't negotiate.

I frequently had offers similar or where the notice period was skewed in favour of the employer, and I've always insisted they should be equivalent on both sides.
If they can get rid with a weeks notice, then I should also be able to walk with a weeks notice.
I've had push back, but always got something equitable in the end.

[PurpleTurtle]

Big_Dan said:

Friend has been offered a senior role

3 rounds of interviews and 2 sets of technical tests (not IT)

6 months probation with 1 weeks notice

Is this usual?

If this was me, I would be fine with the probation period, but I would want a months notice on either side, simply because if they wanted to get rid of me, I would have outgoings that I would need to cover that would put me in a spot if somebody suddenly decided that my face didn't fit, and would likely need time to find another senior role.

The reality of these situations is that people tend to get let go immediately and put on gardening leave, but giving me just a week of notice makes me question their commitment to me, whilst they are effectively keeping me on standby to prove my worth.