Hi Everyone
I'm currently reviewing our probationary periods - they are 3 months for what are considered 'standard' staff (not my view) and 6 months for those in more 'complex' roles. Managers of staff in 'standard' roles want to be able to change this from 3 to 6 in the contract of employment when they recruit new staff on the basis that it takes longer than 3 months to get to grips with what they believe are complex roles. For me, all the roles are complex.
My organisation does not necessarily believe that this 'blanket' approach needs to be changed.
I am not approaching this not from a legal point of view but from a view of what arrangements to you have in your organisation? Is it unfair to expect anyone to be 'competent' after three months? Do you think six months is too long? Do you think probationary periods are meaningless? etc etc. Your thoughts are really welcome.
Many thanks for your help!
Joan
Comments
Hi Joan,
I am far from an expert on Probationary Periods, however in the three most recent companies I have worked for none of them had a Probationary Period. Apparently they all used to but found through their experience that they weren't worth the paper they were written on. Now whether this is down to managers not playing their part or another reason I am not sure but there does seem to be a trend (at least in financial services) to move away fro them.
What do you think you won't know about someone in 3 months that you will in 6 months in relation to their capability to do the job and more importantly their attitude?