Can someone explain probation periods to me?

[Needadoughnut]

I just got offered a job at my dream company. However, it says they offer me the role under probation period for 3 months, with potential for potential permanent positioning within our team. Is this something I should worry about?

Just means they can fire you within the first 3 months without any reason I think

It means it's a period where you have to prove that you can do the job.
If after (or during) the 3 months you're doing a shit job they can get rid of you. There may be the possibility of extending the probation period too.

Also, you might not be entitled to employee benefits such as pension or company discounts etc during probation period.

Standard practice by the way. Nothing to worry about, just do your best!

What I understood is that is that if I pass my probation my job will become permanent, but I don't think it reads that way the way they wrote it.

I've just finished my 6 months probation!! 3 will fly by in no time!

Effectively, in law, you don't get protection from being unfairly dismissed until you've been employed for a full 2 years. A probation period therefore has no legal significance. Just start, and do your best to impress.

Typically involves them esentially training you during those months, and that you meet the spec you promised at interview.

We've only had one probationary failure - a guy who interviewed well, scored highly on tests, but just fundamentally didn't 'get' the company aims and purpose of his job. He left by mutual agreement, as he didn't like the feeling that the job was a bad fit.

I use it as a way to help understand what support a new employee will need.

But do I always get a permanent role after it? That's the bit that I find confusing.

If they agree you have passed your probation after 3 months then the role becomes permanent. There is no guarantee. Often the notice period is a week during probation and then a month or more once you've passed your probation.

During the first two years of employment in a new job you can be sacked for any reason (if it's not discriminatory, but expect this to change shortly after a no deal Brexit).

So effectively you have a two year probation period. But employers like to stack things even more in their favour by getting you to agree to a "probation period on top" during which they can get rid of you with a shorter notice period (to be fair, usually mutual so you can leave on eg a week's notice too). But actually it means nothing. It's all about the notice period.

And no job is "permanent" - notice can be given at any time although after 2 years you have protection against them getting rid of you on a whim, and there is redundancy protection too.

The job is permanent from day one, it's just that during the probation period the notice period is shorter. For example, it may be a week during probation and one month after that.

Some companies make a song and dance about probation periods and have reviews etc. Some don't, it is just in the contract but once the probation period is over that's that and neither side will even notice it has passed.

@havingtochangeusernameagain so I should treat the role as a permanent one? A friend is telling me that they're surely hiring many "probation employees" with only one permanent role at the end of the probation period. I think they're just covering their backs with that wording.

As pps have said, you're not fully protected until two years have passed. A probation period usually means the company can leapfrog its normal internal process for dismissal if they think you are underperforming in some way - so they can avoid things like a performance improvement plan, or the full absence management process. You are still protected against dismissal for discriminatory reasons.

I don't think you need to worry they are hiring a lot of people with only one role at the end. That's not how it works. A probation period clause is standard.

Surely it was advertised as a permanent role?

It was actually not advertised. It was fortuitous as I emailed them about another role. They liked my CV enough that they said they'd like me to come over and see if we clicked. A few hours later they emailed saying there was actually an opening, which is the role I ended up getting.

I would ask for written clarification if I thought the wording unclear. That way I'd have no surprises further down the line.
In the organisation where I line managed the probationary period had a set policy that had to be adhered to.
This included details of mentoring and support and the targets required for successful completion of the probationary period. It also included a set number of supervision sessions (supervision was really the wrong word as these sessions were intended to be supportive and advice giving) and also monthly reviews.

All of this left no one in any doubt. If issues were arising during the probationary period (on either side) these could be addressed.

Only had person have their probation extended and one who was deemed unsatisfactory.

I haven't signed any contract yet. I'm sure the contract will state it clearly enough and if not ask for clarification then. I have another job in the pipeline, if this one doesn't work out I'm covered.

Yes, check the wording in your contract. I doubt very much that they are taking on lots of new employees on probation and then only keeping one - unless you are going to work for Alan Sugar

It would be a very inefficient and expensive way of hiring, if nothing else.

Exactly "Olenna* that's what I told my friend. It's a role that needs training and practice. It makes no sense to train someone to then fire them. They've explained the whole company to me. They like for people to start at entry level because it shows commitment. It's a smallish but successful start up. I think it's just a matter of wording. Just like I once had a "seasonal" job that was as good as permanent.

Recruiting people is time consuming and costly, we aim to get the selection criteria right so we don’t have the failed probationary scenario.
But yes 3 months is standard after that you get a few more benefits, sick pay, bonus and healthcare. 1 week notice changes to 1 month. That’s our company, I have had one fail and 1 extension. The fail chap we took a punt on as he was out of work, he just didn’t get basic punctuality. The extension of probation person got there in the end.

I think you shouldn't listen to your friend as they sound a bit clueless. It is standard to have a probationary period of 3 months. If you pass then the role is made permanent. If you fail then they can either extend the period or get rid of you.