To think an essay for a new job is silly?

[Youwotnow]

Maybe I am out of touch or just ignorant, but AIBU to think that it's ridiculous to ask an adult to write an essay about her experience and what she has learned during her 6 week probation period?

Background: my friend started a job a few weeks ago and said that she's been asked told to write an essay so submit to her line manager this will be done 6 weeks into a 6 month probation period. It is not clear what the purpose of this essay is beyond to "see" what she has learned, nor what will be done with the document after it's done

I think this is bonkers, I've never worked anywhere where this was required - it was always get in, learn the ropes, here's a list of people who to ask for help, don't forget e-learning is here and fire exits are there, now get on with your job!!

Has anyone had to do this??

I actually think it's a great idea and evidence of HR doing a well rounded job

reflective? What I have been experienced, & what I would like to/aim to learn going forward -

Imho it's much better to write a page in your own words about reflection on what you learned, what works well and what doesn't than having to tick nearest answers in a form. You are bound to get more comprehensive overview of what the employee thinks and if they are happy or not and why.

If what is required is not clear, and the purpose of it is not clear, then is that a failure on the part of your friend?

“OK boss, you want me to write something - can you please let me know how it will be used, so I can tailor it correctly?”

A “what could we do better” for HR to review onboarding is different from a “what it’s like joining x team”, intended to go into a quarterly newsletter.

Your friend could spend less time moaning to you, and more time asking her boss?

OP How are you defining "essay"? Have they asked for a specific number of words?

I mean the term 'essay' is off-putting but it could just an odd choice of terminology. If your friend finds it weird, I would just write it more of a 'report'/appraisal, style, i.e. split it into topics such as 'tasks completed' (can bullet point), 'learning/development for future' 'reflections' 'other' (where she can write some duff about colleagues being welcoming and so forth). Write it in objective language rather than 'I think this....' If they haven't given her any specific guidelines on how long it should be/how to set it out/what to include then they can't really moan if she does it 'wrong.'

If the job is otherwise okay I wouldn't really stress over something like this. Ignoring what they've called it, reflecting on what she's learnt and what she needs to develop is something she should be doing during a training period anyway, so spending half an hour writing it down shouldn't be too taxing.