Probation extended - worried

[GingerHat]

I am four months into my 6 month probation and I found out last week that it will be extended by a month. This is due to negative feedback I have received.

The feedback itself is general in nature and not backed up by examples ( I have asked). I just feel like the team leader doesn't like me and wants me out.

I have been feeling so down about this as I have had nothing but positive feedback in previous roles. Should I just quit before the end of my probation and jump before I'm pushed? If I do this, will it look bad? i can afford 4 months off work and I have an interview lined up for next week.

No don't quit. It's east to get rid of someone on probation so they could have just done that if it really wasn't working. You should be having reviews and be given guidance on what they are expecting from you - try to pin them down to specific details e.g. expected timeframes for work or number of units produced (obviously depending on what your work is).

I agree that if they thought it was unsalvageable they probably wouldn't have bothered extending. If you're 2 months away from the end of the probation period, their thought process may be that you're not quite on track now but with a little extra time could be fine. We can only speculate of course.

The feedback might also be general because it's a general issue affecting all your work? It depends what your role is, but sometimes there are intangibles that are difficult to pin down in specific terms but mean that on the whole you're not delivering what's expected.

I can understand that it's disheartening and worrying, but I don't see what you would gain by resigning now without a job to go to? When you say will it look bad - to whom? Do you mean on your CV?

If you really think it won't work out, then pursue the interview and other options if that doesn't result in an offer. One short job can easily be explained as not being a good fit or what you expected it to be or whatever. But it's easier to find a job while you have a job so don't make any rash decisions to resign on the spot.

Thanks @Littlepicklepie and @dreamfield i appreciate your views.

in some ways this was my ideal job but I've been so disheartened and upset by the feedback that even if I passed my probation I think I would want to move on quite quickly as it is clear the team leader doesn't like me even though I have spoken to him twice since I started.

It's a mid senior role within the public sector which is maybe why they haven't got rid of me sooner. Some of the feedback has been in relation to things which don't form part of my day to day job. I also look at more senior people in my job who don't seem to do very much/are quite scatty/don't make much progress and wonder why I'm deemed to be "less" than them and find the whole thing bizarre so maybe this isn't the right role for me in the long run.

i'll wait to find a job before resigning. If I resign before the end of probation, will I get a basic reference confirming my employment dates or will the reference say anything about my probation?

Don't quit. Go to your interview and decide if you get offered that

I have twice extended probations of people who have gone on to be very successful.

both had to dig deep and find some grit and determination, not least because, naturally, neither felt it was fair.

if you show a doggedly cheerful determination to improve you’ll be admired long term.

good luck!

I kept on having my probation extended until a senor manager stepped in. I think, the first time at least, it was a sop to a particular manager. The next times were just due to them being horrid, no real help or clarity given.

So based on this, I'd go with it, once, if you like the job.

Thank you for all your replies and @Emotionalsobriety that's positive to hear.

I had a job interview this week which went well but the job isn't really what I want do long term so I'm keeping my eye out for something else.

I really like the job but I'm slightly concerned that what is being expected of me is way more than what is being expected from people on the same level as me, and possibly even from people who are at a higher grade. My line manager is also quite good friends with the team leader who has given the negative comments about me and I'm worried I'm not going to be treated fairly.

would it be unreasonable to ask for someone else to manage me for the rest of the probation? I would just feel more comfortable with someone else

I'm not sure that asking for a new line manager would go down well in the circumstances. It would probably just mark your card.

Just wondering if you ended up passing your probation or you left before the probation ended? If so, were you able to get a basic reference for other jobs