12 month probation period seems exceptionally long?

[BillyJowel]

I’ve accepted a job with a local authority and am surprised to see the probation period is 12 months long. Is this normal for local authorities?

I am aware that no employee really has any rights until they have been in post for 2 years so I am wondering what the purpose of this exceptionally long probation is.

Being cynical I am wondering if they might be using it as a ‘12 month contract’ situation?

Do you think that the 2 year qualifying service to get employment rights would only start after the probation period? Sounds like they want to have as big a window as possible to be able to sack you!

Do you think that the 2 year qualifying service to get employment rights would only start after the probation period

No it wouldn't. The 2 years starts on the first day you are employed regardless of whether or not you are on probation.

@prh47bridge thanks, I wasn't sure.

12 months is not uncommon.

I've seen this in the public sector. I think it's too long. Probation period doesn't really mean anything legally due to the two year rule, but it can be a good way to make a new employee feel engaged, welcomed and motivated. I think making people wait 12 months to get that seal of approval is too long... most employers know within 3-6 months if someone is right or not.

12 Months does seem ridiculously long. My brother had a 12 month probation period however this was because he has a brain injury so they put the 12 month probation period in to protect him and the employer as neither were sure he could complete the job given it was a very recent head injury and even the doctors didn't know the true impact his accident had on his brain

As a general rule, I think 12 months is FAR too long, and only applicable to particular circumstance such as above