Probation Extended

[JustWantCake]

My 6 month probation period came to a close at end of last week, or so I thought, but I've just been told my probation is actually being extended another 6 months during a meeting with my MD.

This was the first meeting on my performance or about my probation period I have had since joining the company.

There wasn't really anything negative from the meeting and I was just told to up my confidence a bit and feel free to throw my weight about to get my colleagues to do their job done quicker. There was a lot of praise given to me; although part of me feels like it was a charade as it felt like my MD was trying to persuade me how good my job is for me (idk just got strange vibes).

I'm just wondering what should I take from this situation and does this mean they might be lining up to dismiss me?

Also, as they are able to dismiss me easily during a probation period, does this mean I don't have to give notice about leaving?

It should be in your contract about notice lengths during probationary period. For us it's a week on both sides, until employment confirmed, then it rises to six weeks.

It's interesting that they left it until your probation period expired - my understanding is that if you passed the end of probation date without a yes/no then you were automatically confirmed anyway? I'm not an HR professional, but I'm sure someone will be along in a bit to advise on this.

If you're getting some vibes it might be worth having a look around - it sounds to me that they are biding their time. I hope I'm wrong, because that's a bit unfair.

Good luck.

Thank you for your reply InteriorLulu

I actually thought my employment was confirmed because I recently received a Employment Confirmation Letter and was verbally told by my MD's PA that I am through it...

Just looked at my contract, thank you for suggesting there, it stated 1 week otherwise its 3 months.

Have you got an HR Dept? Sounds like the two things you're being told are at odds - if you've had an employment confirmation letter, then I suspect that stands. I don't think that they can take it away once confirmed.

Might be worth giving ACAS a call for some advice.

Our HR department is on other side of the country! I've been told though that it wasn't actually my probation period ending letter... feel like I am being fobbed off.

Feel really insecure as overheard 2 conversations whilst walking past MD PA's office recently:

1. about the dismissal of a woman and how her team need to be warned (there are only 5 women here including me...)
2. interviews are being set up this Thursday and Friday

Shall give ACAS a call. Thank you again

You're welcome. Can you call HR? Doesn't sound like they've got joined up processes and this needs highlighting - it's really not fair to keep you dangling.

I hope everything works out.

I actually thought my employment was confirmed because I recently received a Employment Confirmation Letter and was verbally told by my MD's PA that I am through it...

ACAS will confirm if you call them, but fwiw, good employment practice is that the employee shouldn't be confused or in doubt about their employment status.

If you are in a probationary period, it shouldn't be left to you to guess whether you're hitting the mark. It is shabby of them to let your probationary period date pass and then tell you they would be extending probation for a further 6 months nor should it be incumbent on the MDs PA to verbally discuss your situation casually, unless they have authority in an HR capacity.

What they're effectively doing is denying you important rights, for example a more full notice period, because if you're still in probation for another 6 months, they still have the option to dismiss you with only a weeks notice if that's what your contract says. That signals they don't value you highly. Quite honestly I'd get another job.

I was just told to up my confidence a bit and feel free to throw my weight about to get my colleagues to do their job done quicker

This type of advice shows their incompetence in terms of good quality feedback. It's poor advice to tell an employee to throw their weight around, it gives the message bullying and poor behaviour is allowed here. Not good.

daisychain01 thanks for your reply. I've actually handed my notice in. Tbh its been building a while about how I feel working for this company - really doesn't align with my moral compass working here, they have such bad practice. I think the whole probation period being extended along with stupid behaviour from colleagues yesterday hit the nail in the coffin.

Just grateful I am in a position where I am able to leave.

How did they take it OP? Were they surprised. I think you have done the right thing. Horrible feeling like they have the upper hand and not ok to just extend probation for no good reason!!

hellohello12345 not particularly, director even had the cheek to say "well to be honest if we knew you had a baby we would never have hired you anyway" !!!!!!

Also interestingly had a few work colleagues tell me they are soon going to follow me out, they are already lining up interviews elsewhere.

at the baby comment! That’s very bad.

I’ve walked away in the past. It is indeed a good feeling to be financially secure and able to tell them to stuff it. X

weekfour IKR! I said "well that is discrimination" and he said "No its business" like wtf!

What a total idiot!!!!

You are so better off out of there. Can you just leave today?? I would after comments like that!

hellohello12345 I'm not sure if I am allowed to? I need the company car for the weekend tbh, so would rather try and stick it out till Monday at least. Thankfully I have tomorrow off.

Well I hope it goes ok. Just keep your head down and I'm sure the week will go quick. Sorry you've had a tough time xxx

hellohello12345 thank you xxx

You've definitely done the right thing cake they sound dreadful!