Will I be fired?

[bengal38]

I have started work as a General Catering Assistant in a School Kitchen in a Secondary School. I started on May 14 and I am on a 6 month Probationary Period. Last Thursday my Boss gave me a Review of how I am getting on before the Area Manager comes in on July 9th to give a proper first review of my 1st Probationary. My Boss told me that I do things properley but I work slow. I admitted that I did work slow at the beginning but I did pick up speed lately. But she told me that I may be better placed in a less busy School Kitchen somewhere else. Now I am worried about getting fired from my job.

It doesn't sound like they're getting ready to fire you, but they are suggesting you've got an area to work on during your probation - your speed. How do you think you are doing compared to others, bearing in mind they have been there longer? You'll presumably keep picking up speed but term ends soon and then you'll have a break during which you could get a bit rusty again? I think it's worth highlighting that sooner or later as you're effectively losing 6 weeks out of a 26 week probationary period when you have no performance to assess (I assume that's how it works with the catering staff in schools? Your holidays match the school holidays?)

I would take the criticism on the chin - and it may turn out to be good advice. Like all of us with children in school, I want catering staff who do the job properly! And some will be better at dealing with the high pressure environment of a large school, others will do better in calmer environment. It may be that they might suggest a different school in the area for you depending on how the probation goes?

The other thing I'd do is ask for the feedback to be constructive. What tips does your boss have for how you can speed up? You shouldn't have to figure that out on your own, are you being trained by a more experienced member of the team?

Don't give up hope, you're only just over a month into the job. No-one has any idea what they're doing after a month :)