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Original poster

To be anxious in 12 week sainsburys probation period

27 replies

tinkcantwaittomove · 06/07/2012 21:28

Hi
I am in my 7th week of my probation period at sainsburys
I work fri eve, sat eve and all sun
I hv been observed by team leaders which they hv then written doqn for me to see
Last observation was 2 weeks ago said i had imProved greatley just needed more confidence and to give more eye contact
I work in kiosk
So worried that i will get to end of 12 week probatituon period and then they will let me go
In p period they look at conduct, performance, attendance and references
I suffer from anxiety anyway on ads hate change and this is my first job since hvng my girls so 7 yrs

Thoughts please

OP posts:
DeepPurple · 06/07/2012 21:30

As far as I am aware all retail jobs have a 12 week probationary period. I wouldn't worry about it unduly as it is rare that they will get rid of you without discussing any problems.

How about you ask them directly how they think you are doing and if there is anything else they think you can improve?

Changebagsandgladrags · 06/07/2012 21:31

It sounds to me like you are doing OK.

We have a six month probation period here and if someone is going to fail their probation they have to be pre-warned in writing, explicitly.

crazynanna · 06/07/2012 21:31

Well seeing as they have said you are improved greatly...then it seems you are doing really well Smile

Just keep up the good work and well done!

RuleBritannia · 06/07/2012 21:34

Don't be disheartened but I had a job at Tesco 3 years ago. I was among about ten others taken on. The others were all much younger than I was and it wasn't long before I found that they were all employed permanently but I was on a 4 month contract. I was also watched and told to smile more and offr to help to pack. I was doing all these things anyway but my contract (probationary period?) was not renewed.

Tesco had said it had created 9000 jobs. Yes but that was just publicity. I bet hardly any of those employees are still in work there.

Cheriefroufrou · 06/07/2012 21:37

I did a probation period like this when I worked in retail. I "slipped up" 3 times (and its supposed to be 3 strikes and you're out) but still got highly recommended for a proper contract (just didn't want it by then)

my slip ups:

  1. They offered me over time, I agreed to some days, wrote them in my diary, and stuck to that.. didn't re-check THEIR rota.. the days were different so I didn't turn up. They did this to others, apparently it is to see how you react when you get a phonecall saying "why aren't you here, get here ASAP"
  1. A "coach" told me to move on in my task and they'ld finish the bit I was on, they made a mistake in that bit, I was responsible for it and apparently it was a test and I should have said "no" to the help as I had to be 100% responsible for checking my area
  1. I got D&V AT WORK, I worked in the FOOD SECTION! I finally got off the loo and went and told a manager, I was told that if I leaved now I wouldn't get paid for the time up till then I had done.. I left anyway - WTF I wasn't gonna stay and throw up on people's food!

But I still got put forward with a "highly recommended" from my manager. Just SMILE SMILE CHATTY CHATTY SMILE!

Original poster
tinkcantwaittomove · 06/07/2012 21:41

Thanks ladies Grin
It is a small store so not many of us they r very short on kiosk so that is why i am on it
I started with 3 others
I am more smily and chatty then i was doing my best

OP posts:
HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 06/07/2012 21:48

tink I did 12 years at Sainsbury's i worked at Head Office and i used to go into stores and train staff.

I am sure you're doing fine, and although i haven't worked there for some years i am sure they don't let many people go.

I started in the store office as a shy 16 year old and had to cover for checkouts at lunch ect and i was always so nervous.

You just need to make sure of the obvious things, don't be sick, don't be late, always have correct uniform on and look smart.

Then just smile, make eye contact with the customers, be polite, make eye contact with the customers and smile!

It harder to come across well in the kiosk as people are in and out very quickly, you don't have time to chat whilst you put through a whole shop.

Am sure you are doing fine, don't worry.

Mrschristiangray · 06/07/2012 21:56

Hi I read this with interest as today went for an interview and found out that it is a 12 MONTH probation period.
The last 2 people inc the present person have not passed and have been let go.
I was offered the job.
Am I crazy (not wanting to hijack thread)
I thought to not pass probation as in your case you would have to do something horrendous, which you haven't!!

mrsscoob · 06/07/2012 22:04

It's standard don't worry, they would only let you go if you were having loads of sick time or something like that.

the observations you mentioned are carried out on everyone in the store no matter how long they have been there. Teamleaders are encouraged to find something to write down that you can improve on. sounds to me like you are doing fine, try not to worry

Original poster
tinkcantwaittomove · 06/07/2012 22:05

Hi mrsgrey luv the name i am half way through the first bkWink
I agree that u would hv to do something really bad to be let go!
They r so focused on customer service at sainsburys so much to remember

OP posts:
PurpleCrazyHorse · 06/07/2012 22:43

Definitely ensure you're on time, in the correct uniform, smart and not calling in sick or needing to leave early unless an emergency.

A smile and 'how can I help', good eye contact and always watching for customers was key at WHSmiths. I'd say avoid chatting behind the kiosk, stand up straight, offer to help with anything that needs doing etc. Keen and enthusiastic is always a positive too.

Watch how other staff interact and approach customers, and copy what they do.

MorrisZapp · 06/07/2012 22:48

Turn up, be friendly. That's all.

I'm on a 3 month probation in my job too (non retail) and I sympathise, but I very much doubt they recruited you, trained you, gave you uniform etc just to ditch you for no reason in 3 months.

It's not too long to wait for that permanent contract. Hope it goes quickly for you.

Cheriefroufrou · 07/07/2012 10:30

and always upsell for extra brownie points, after everyone you help ask if theres anything else you can get for them or help them with etc

the sickness think is terrible IMO, its so wrong to discriminate against people because they've been sick, but they do, but what can you do about it?

AmazingBouncingFerret · 07/07/2012 10:34

It never even occured to me to be worried about the probationary period!

When employing other staff at my last place of work you passed it if you turned up! Grin

Confuzzled128 · 07/07/2012 10:36

Honestly, you will be fine! Having worked at Sainsburys I can tell you they are very lenient! By the time I had reached my six month mark, I was supervisor and doing observations on other people! :P

Cheriefroufrou · 07/07/2012 10:40

I think the probationary period gives you a bit of a false sense of security about the permanent contract TBH, when I was there it was 3 strikes (by that I mean genuine mistakes like missing one sell by date out of 500, not turning up drunk and swearing or anything like that) no matter if you were on a probation contract or not! One woman who had been there for YEARS and rarely ever made a mistake made 2 mistakes close together and was told that if she made one more she'ld be out.. despite years of a very low rate of mistakes!

retail sucks (sorry OP! but its not worth getting stressed and run down about because no matter how hard you work for them they return no loyalty!)

Mrsjay · 07/07/2012 10:40

DD is shy and lacks confidence but she passed her 12 week sainsbury probation and was kept on and her confidence is starting to soar she works on checkout, she only works 12 hrs but please dont panic TBH i think sainsbury like quieter people and not loud in your face staff

eurochick · 07/07/2012 11:22

Don't be sidetracked by the probationary period. Legally, there is no unfair dismissal claim available for 2 years for people hired after 6 April this year. In short, you can be dismissed unfairly and have no claim against the employer until you have been there for two years. It used to be one year. It sucks.

Cheriefroufrou · 07/07/2012 11:34

exactly! the pressure isn't off once you get a perm contract, so if you intend to stay, you need to learn to not let the pressure get to you!

I've worked in A&E etc, and noone in places like that try to pile on nearly as much pressure as retail managers try to, makes me LOL when people at my current job say on bad days (one of these days I'm just gonna go and get a job in Tescos)

Cheriefroufrou · 07/07/2012 11:35

was meant to be "s not (s Blush

Original poster
tinkcantwaittomove · 07/07/2012 13:16

thanku ladies
very helpful
i just get anxious about most things
will try not too!!

OP posts:
Mrsjay · 07/07/2012 13:19

It will be fine tink

MarigoldsInTheWindow · 07/07/2012 16:27

its just an act. I do it when im at work.

just pretend.

user1494958647 · 19/06/2017 18:57

I started working in Sainsburys a week ago as a Counter Assistant. Working on the counter making pizzas, cutting cheese and meat and working in the bakery.How long will it be before they expect me to be competent at my job? I am worried if i am not quicker enough and competent in my role in a few weeks they will dismiss me. I am happy working in my role and my colleagues are friendly. Any advice would be helpful.

Fennly123 · 24/10/2017 10:37

Hi please could anyone tell me the answers to the 11 week review test with Sainsbury’s. I’m only in my 5 th week, and I’m panicking like crazy about the question sheet. Thanks 🙂

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