Probation extended

camlik

Hi all,

So I started a job in a new company last September, it was a step up in my field and I was and am very happy in it. I have made a number of minor mistakes along the way but none I would consider serious.

Now, a new manager started who although hard I do like and thought I got on with however a few weeks ago we had an appraisal that wasn't great she pointed out a few things I was good at but said I need to work on a few others. Admittedly I didn't take these as important as perhaps I should have but hindsight is 20/20 as they say.

Fast forward to last week and said manager was away for the week on holidays leaving me in charge for the first time running a team/unit that size. Mistakes were made that again (some fairly bad but not drastic) I would say that I learned from and I know not to let them happen again.

Anyway, I'm called in Friday and she starts having a conversation writing down everything that I am saying to questions about the mistakes mentioned and some random complaint that a staff member felt "left out" because I forgot to discuss something with her and someone else while I Did the rest of the team.

Everything I say is written down and at the end she tells me that this is going to HR and my probation period has been extended for 7 weeks and it there was no improvement I am gone, because I have shown no improvement on the things we discussed first time around. I was shocked and quite upset as I would consider myself a good worker and would do anything asked of me.

I really just have two questions. She let slip that my initial probation ended at the start of June and they were extending it anyway, Is this right? Nobody else in the unit has had so much of an a evaluation so I feel very singled out.

The other is how to respond. I believe I Did a good job today with the tasks that I had let myself down on but I won't know till Thursday.

I was thinking about asking for weekly progress meetings to discuss how the previous week went and what I can improve on next week.

I'm really at a loss because nothing like this has ever happened. I just have a feeling the knives are out and I don't know why. I work in a small town and being let go will just ruin my reputation it's the kinda thing people whisper about as you walk by if you can imagine anything so ridiculous.

Thanks to anyone who helps or stuck with my rambling. I'm a bit all over the place with worry. Have a young family who I can't bring myself to tell.

Thanks again.

Eoin

Sorry to hear that. I don't think I would focus too much on the technicalities of extending probation if it was supposed to be over at the start of June. It's not too hard to let someone go in their first year with a company (whether they're still on probation or not), and if you're on their radar, it's better to focus on why.

I think the weekly progress meeting is definitely a good idea. If they're extending probation then hopefully it means they see potential.

The mistakes may not be serious ones, but if they add up, it could be quite frustrating for your manager. Are they just silly mistakes, or is it because you're not familiar enough with their processes or something like that? Are there any policies at work you can brush up on? Anyone sympathetic at work who you can ask to double check the occasional task?

If you are getting the feeling that they're just documenting mistakes so they can manage you out, or lining up a replacement, then it might not be a bad idea to pre-empt them and quietly look around for other jobs.

Nody

camlik wrote: »

I have made a number of minor mistakes along the way but none I would consider serious.

had an appraisal that wasn't great ... but said I need to work on a few others.

Admittedly I didn't take these as important as perhaps I should have but hindsight is 20/20 as they say.

leaving me in charge for the first time running a team/unit that size. Mistakes were made that again (some fairly bad but not drastic)

some random complaint that a staff member felt "left out" because I forgot to discuss something with her and someone else while I Did the rest of the team.

To this point you've admitted multiple mistakes and serious mistakes when you were in charge including what can be construed as bulling while on probation period which you were given feedback on to correct and you ignored it. Honestly I'd most likely have let you go at that point as you clearly don't want to improve (or so it would appear based on you ignoring the feedback on areas of improvement and the fact you got a less then stellar review).

my probation period has been extended for 7 weeks and it there was no improvement I am gone, because I have shown no improvement on the things we discussed first time around. I was shocked and quite upset as I would consider myself a good worker and would do anything asked of me.

And this is the part where you show a great lack of insight; based on what you've shared so far I'm surprised you even got a job with them. You have clearly not been a good worker doing what was asked of you since you admit to repeatedly making mistakes, not listening to the feedback you've been given, not improving on the areas you're pointed out by your manager to work on AND on top of that screwed up when in charge of the team. That is not a good worker; that's someone who's on their way on to a new job outside the company. Doing what you're told (which you did not, see feedback) or being a "hard worker" does not in any way make you a good worker.

I'm really at a loss because nothing like this has ever happened. I just have a feeling the knives are out and I don't know why.

See above; you don't actually listen or act on the feedback you've been given and keep on thinking you're the star of the company no matter what mistakes you do. News flash; you're one step away from being fired so start to actively listen to what your manager is saying and ask for feedback on your work. Don't assume that a mistake "is really a minor thing" because you don't know that and propose to your manager how to correct it to make sure you don't exacerbate the mistake further.

You're at a cross road here and only at the good graces of your manager not letting you go on the spot based on performance. You can either take the feedback you've been given and will get and work with it, understand it and improve how you work and that includes stop making mistakes or you can wait another 7 weeks and start looking for a new job. Does that stress enough how important it is for you to actually start listening and stop making these mistakes?

Maphisto

A guy works as a bus driver. Every day he drives the bus between Dublin and Mullingar. He's a little slow because he spends time talking to the customers, but he's popular and he's safe even if the company does miss its schedules.

His manager has a word with him about the late arrival. The manager gives advice on how he might speed things up some, but the guy thinks its only a time table, and sure I'm safe and the auld folks love me.

This guy is a "good" bus driver. He's courteous and safe but the bus company need more from him.

If the company is fined for failing to stick to its time table, who do you think they will let go?

blindsider

OP - I think that Nody may have been a little harsh and blunt, but you're in a bit of a spot. (No offence intended Nody!)

In mitigation, if you're struggling a bit, why on earth did they leave a (struggling) probationer in charge of a team? That's mad Ted. (Why did you agree to it?!)

This sounds a bit petty: "and some random complaint that a staff member felt "left out" because I forgot to discuss something with her and someone else while I Did the rest of the team."

Sounds like your boss could have clearer re the purpose of the meeting - but you need to listen more and ask questions "WHat's the meeting about?"

Did you get a copy of the Warning in writing? It might be worth asking for it.

Having said all that, it's time to focus here. You've got a tough 7 weeks.

You need to know what standards are expected of you and you need to be able to document how you've over-achieved. Foucs on your OWN JOB - not anyone else's.

Work out what needs to be done and when, and don't leave til it's done. Arrive early, leave late. Everything you do must be directed at achieving a goal or task. If someone stops for a chat, say you're busy. If someone needs help, say you're snowed under - could it wait? (Smile apologetically.)

The only thing that matters now is getting back to 0 - because unfortunately, you're slightly in the minus figures.

The good news is that you can turn it around - but you need to be tough on yourself and focus completely on the job.

Finally, tell your OH. Don't leave them in the dark .You need a bit of support and home is the best place for it. Explain that work is a bit tough and you really need to knuckle down for the next 2 months - so that when you come home late, tired and fed up, s/he will understand why.

Also, if things do go horribly wrong, it's not fair to have given them no warning. Tough conversation to have - but it needs to be done. Start off with "Work is tough at the moment - it's hard going and my boss has had a bit of a chat...."

Nose to the grindstone now!

Best of luck with it.

Ray Palmer

OP sorry to hear that but maybe you need to revaluate what you are doing.

I think some of what has been said is a little harsh but at the same time have some valid points. You are not handling the job very well no matter what way you look at it. You seem to have a good attitude but it appears you don't have the skills at present to do the job.

While I think there is a bit of a problem with their approach to probation they will still have valid grounds to fire you. It doesn't really matter if they don't do it 100% correct as you have pointed out local reputation is going to be important to you.

It sounds like you have 7 weeks to improve or they will let you go. It is a very odd specific amount of time to extend your probation. I wouldn't expect to be there after that time unless you make amazing improvements

JIdontknow

Hi OP. While some of the above comments may be slightly harsh, it is more or less the reality. You need to knuckle down, and count this 7 weeks as a second chance and new start. You seem to say and honestly admit you make mistakes, but they are small ones. This could be causing irritation for the employers, everyone makes mistakes, but if they are small basic ones appearing, people may be wondering. So before you submit work or a project, have a snag / check list done up for all these mistakes you have made previously. Go through this check list, and tick each off as you check it. I know you may think that you realise the mistakes, but often is the case that when you look at something for long enough you miss details, which is why when staring at something, walk away for a few minutes, when you look at it again you will straight away notice an error or typo...

Dont stress yourself out, you seem to enjoy the work, and want to work there. So prove to them (and yourself) that you can be dependant, check and double check for these mistakes, and dont take the attitude that oh they are just little mistakes, they all add up. An employer would probably prefer one major mistake to say 5-6 little mistakes, as one major mistakes suggests you can do 90%, but if you're making lots of little ones they wonder can you do the basics asked. Tell your OH, explain, say you've made some little mistakes work wise and have 7 weeks probation extension so need to knuckle down, and want to redeem yourself in the next few weeks so it may be stressful or hectic, they will understand and offer you support away from work.

geeky

First off - forget about what people in the town will say. People who want to whisper and sneer will do it, even if you're sweeping all before you. Also don't imagine that the knives are out and they want to get rid of you anyway - if they wanted to fire you, they'd have had ample grounds to do so anyway, so they want it to work.

Some of the comments have been very blunt/borderline nasty, but you've been given what seems like a last chance to apply the corrections and advice you've received and not really used to date. So really do your best to take it.

I'd suggest that you need to do some self-examination and reflection on how you can improve. You've noted that mistakes were made. Maybe, when you can, sit down and look at those mistakes - think about how you would handle these situations differently, keeping the feedback you received from your bosses in mind.

If you're in two minds, ask your boss - that's what she's there for. And if she has the time to do those progress review meetings on a weekly basis, then that's a great idea. More than anything, you need to demonstrate that you can absorb and respond to feedback - presumably, if they didn't know that you'd work hard, they'd have canned you by now.

Moses101

If your probation ended,it cannot be extended.its an impossibility to extend something thats over,finished,kaput,no more,deceased as monty python put it in the parrot sketch.

Eoin

Moses101 wrote: »

If your probation ended,it cannot be extended.its an impossibility to extend something thats over,finished,kaput,no more,deceased as monty python put it in the parrot sketch.

I don't think that's the thing to be focussing on. They're not happy with the OP's performance, and it's easy enough to be let go in your first year.

Mrs OBumble

blindsider wrote: »

In mitigation, if you're struggling a bit, why on earth did they leave a (struggling) probationer in charge of a team? That's mad Ted. (Why did you agree to it?!)

Presumably because being in charge of the team while the manager is away is a core part of the job responsibilities, and they wanted to see of s/he was up to it before the probationary period was over.

InReality

I think you'll be grand if you realise that while you mightn't think the mistakes were big , your managers do. When your starting off they are trying to judge you as best they can so repeated mistakes are a big concern for them.

Lists and checklists are a great idea - take as much out of your head and onto paper and you have far less to be worrying about.

blindsider

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Presumably because being in charge of the team while the manager is away is a core part of the job responsibilities, and they wanted to see of s/he was up to it before the probationary period was over.

Very possibly Mrs O - I wouldn't do it that way - but that's only me......

greendevil8

My advice:
Start looking for something else ASAP. Most likely they have extended your probation to make it look like they did everything to accommodate you if you take a case later on, they are being strategic and careful, so don't be fooled into thinking they extended it to be nice. Also it buys them some extra time to find a replacement. Weekly meeting being documented surely means they are building a case and covering their tracks....Get out! would be my advice,

davo10

greendevil8 wrote: »

My advice:
Start looking for something else ASAP. Most likely they have extended your probation to make it look like they did everything to accommodate you if you take a case later on, they are being strategic and careful, so don't be fooled into thinking they extended it to be nice. Also it buys them some extra time to find a replacement. Weekly meeting being documented surely means they are building a case and covering their tracks....Get out! would be my advice,

All this is unnecessary in the first year of employment. Unless employer discriminates against the OP, he/she can be let go within the first year without them having to worry about a case being taken. More likely is they are telling OP to up his/her game.

greendevil8

It is very much necessary in the first year. Yes, the employee is not covered by the unfair dismissals legislation in the first year but the employer could be challenged and if dismissing an employee during probation the employer should always exercise caution and be able to show that they adhered to their own disciplinary procedures or probation policy if they have one. A case may be brought through the industrial relations act, the outcome of which is not legally binding on the employer. All the same the employer will not not bad publicity and so it would be in their interest to cover themselves by crossing all t's etc which could be what they are doing at present.