When an employer gives you an offer to work for them, it is likely that they want you to start with a probation period or a trial period. This is a common process that helps them to ensure you’re the right candidate for the role and that the opportunity is what you expect. Knowing how this probation period is different from the normal employment system, can help you to adapt to a new work easily. In this article, we clarify the meaning of a probation period, explain why it is essential, analyze what will happen when it is over, and present the kinds of things you can expect in your first few months at a new organization.
Content Outline
What Does A Probationary Period Mean?
The probationary period is the initial period of a new position when the employer monitors and evaluates the candidate to understand if he/ she is a suitable or match for the role and the company. It enables the company to get a better understanding of their needs and the employee’s needs. On that occasion, both parties may escape from some contractual obligations. The example of an employer terminating their employment with short or no notice at all signifies that. The decision of your employer whether to put you on probation or not depends on the following situations :
- Once you have joined the company as a new employee
- Once you’ve been promoted or have taken on a new role within the company
- When your work has significant performance problems
In a situation where a new employee starts with a new employer in a full-time capacity, they are usually offered a probationary period of three to six months. Some companies might tend to offer as much as a year. In most cases, probationary periods for part-time and contract workers are shorter as compared to full-time employees. If the employer provides you with a new internal position within the same company, you are most likely to have to go through your 3 months probationary period.
Why Is This Probationary Period Important?
Probation periods are crucial as they provide employers and their new staff with more freedom. They enable both parties to resolve any issues promptly as termination of employment in a probationary period does not have any significant repercussions regardless of the reason. Normally, these periods are used by the employers to check your strengths and weaknesses in real life situations. Trial periods will also provide you with an idea of whether your new roles and duties correspond to your expectations.
There are two perspectives that can explain you why probationary periods are an essential part of employment contracts.. The probation period can benefit both employers and employees in the following ways:
For Employers
Managers put the new hires through a probationary period to find out if they can deal with assigned tasks with success and if they are competent enough for a position as they claimed during the recruitment process. These are some aspects they usually account for, like, how the new employees contribute to the success of the company with their skills, their abilities, and also their engagement.
Hence, this period is also very convenient for supervisors to evaluate whether new employees match the department or the team. They can assess whether the new employee fits into the organization’s culture or they get along with the others.
For Employees
If you are just starting a new job, you may be wondering how you can best use the probationary period of your job. Take this opportunity to show if the company and the new position can make you get better at what you do and take your career to the next level. You might need to consider having conversations with other employees who can give you some information about the culture and values of the company. Aside from that, it is also important to inquire how their attitude and experience have evolved after they become part of this company and what they think about the employer’s strategies to reward the employees.
Getting Payment During The Probation Period
Generally, the employee on probation should be eligible for a standard salary for his/her position. At the end of the probation period, your employer will most likely offer you some kind of bonus or a raise which is their appreciation for your dedication. The incentives and perks that the employees will receive after the trial period would depend on the size of the company as well as its culture.
If you are interested in learning more about what you can expect after the completion of the probationary period, you may as well ask your colleagues how their transition from probationary to permanent position was. Alternatively, you may contact the human resources department directly to find out about the next concrete steps you are supposed to take after the successful trial period.
Probation Periods For Remote Positions
The length of the probation period is often the same for both types of jobs whether you are doing an in-office job or a remote job. You may have to approach your probation differently if you are an employee working from home. You have to pay attention to the fact that remote working doesn’t have the opportunity to talk to your supervisor or colleagues in person in the office. So, instead of sending them a message with each new question, you could schedule video calls regularly. Discuss any problems you are facing or any requirements and also that the company has productivity standards you should fulfill.
Companies have their practices & standards for their employees’ virtual employment probation periods. With a new remote job, you can expect that your workload is limited and that you have less contact with co-workers than you would in the office. The new employer could want you to have an opportunity to prove yourself by setting their expectations in smaller tasks that must be completed. It is also frequently common to book weekly one-to-one meetings with your manager which will help you get used to talking to people virtually.
What Comes After An Employment Probation Period?
Before you get to the end of your probation period, you should understand the next step and what might happen right after the probation period of your new job. The probation period typically leads to one of these:
Regular employment
If the employer and the employee are satisfied with their employment terms and conditions, the employer may discontinue the probation for the new hire and give them a permanent position. It may be also a time when they provide their employee a raise or bonus as an encouragement for them to stay and work for the company.
Moving into a permanent position in the company will potentially require you to follow employment requirements once you decide to leave after the probationary period is over. If you want to find out more about changes, you probably should talk to your supervisor or the human resources department. You might request some critical pieces of advice on how to be prepared for your transition into full-time employment. Additionally, it is advisable to review the contract which might contain some detailed information about this transition from probation to permanent.
Termination Of Employment
If at the conclusion of your probationary period the employer determines that your skills are better suited for a position in another company, they may terminate the employment. Also, if you think that the position does not fit with your skill set and personal career path, you can quit at the end of your probation period. Fortunately, probation provides more freedom and a fast termination of employment, during which you can start searching for another job that would suit you better.
Extension of the term for the probation
If your employer has not completed the assessment of your competence and skills or has not yet come to the conclusion that you are the best person to fill the permanent position, then they may wish to give you more time to complete the probationary period. In other cases, the employee might be the one who is interested in extending the probation period. This may be caused by several reasons such as any significant changes that you were required to do in the beginning stage largely affected your job and duties.
Advice For Transitioning Into A New Job
These are some of the advice that can help you when you are transitioning into a new job :
- Get to know your team and establish conntections with coworkers. Get the foundations laid during your probationary period by getting familiar with the people you will be working with every day. This is a way for you to ensure that their office dynamic is a good match for your personal qualities and professional goals.
- Ask and learn. When you ask questions, it can show your new employer that you are eager to work in your new role. It can be also a great help in terms of getting to know the company culture better.
- Engage in company event. Attending different company events or voluntary training sessions would help you present as a person who is willing and helpful to the company and easy to approach so that you can take a step forward for the company’s success.
- Express Positivity about Past Employers. It shows that you are to be trusted when you leave your previous employer on good terms and talk kindly about your previous job to your new colleagues.
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