Probation after promotion in the civil service in ireland

I'm really sorry, that sucks. Some people like to really let their bully flags fly when a person is on probation as they feel like they can do anything they want. My experience with HR during my own issues with my managers during probation this year was appalling, I was really shocked. I did really stand up for myself but it took a hell of a lot out of me and my mental and physical health really suffered, so I really empathise with where you are at right now.

Firstly, I would make sure you are documenting every incident with your boss clearly as they happen (take some time asap to catch up on documenting anything that has happened so far if you haven't already). You will have the right to appeal if you are failed your probation, so familiarise yourself with the process now so that you can be prepared. Also, recognise that HR are the ones who sign off on your probation and you should have someone from HR who is supporting you during probation, see if you can talk things through with them and ask them what you can do but just be careful what you say to them as, in my experience, even if they seem supportive, their loyalty is to the system and they seem to be inclined to protect those who are already permanent in their grades. Demonstrating a willingness to improve and take criticism on board is really helpful to your case and if lots of other people have complained about your boss to HR then they may well take that in to consideration.

What exactly did your boss say when they threatened to not pass your probation? Did they give you any constructive feedback on what they feel you are falling down on and what they need you to improve? If so, you need to make sure that you are working on these and communicating to your boss about these areas and asking for their guidance and feedback regularly to show you are working on these areas. They may even behave more nicely with you if they see that you are taking their feedback on board and asking for further guidance. You don't necessarily need to agree with them or think that their criticism is fair but it is about getting them onside and reducing their ability to actually fail you if they don't have any good reason to fail you. You may also need to document how HR treat you during this process so keep that in mind.

I would also read the Dignity at Work document, familiarise yourself with your rights under it and the processes of making a complaint if the need arises; make an appointment with CSEAS and talk things through with them asap as they will be the people who will need to help you if you make a complaint under Dignity at Work but having wording from that document to hand might also help you when communicating with your boss or HR.

Also join the union now if you haven't already as they can only help with issues that arise when you are already a member. They will want to have details about everything so this is why recording everything contemporaneously is really important, not least as it can make things easier to communicate if you are very upset when you talk to them. Be aware though that they aren't always the best in dealing with people who are upset.

Anyway, don't let this gobshite have the power to take away your promotion that you earned. You need to ride it out the best you can and as soon as you pass promotion, demand to be moved to a different unit or team if things haven't improved. I know it doesn't feel like it now but March will come sooner than you think.

When you say March, is that your 9 month review? Or the end of the probation period? If it is the 9 month review then presumably your 6 month one is coming up in December? If so then they will need to give you concrete guidance at the 6 months for you to have 3 months to try to improve. However, I would work now to get concrete guidance on what they want you to improve even before the 6 month review. If you have had your 6 month already and March is the end of your probation then your 9 month is in December so you only have a little bit of time to try to turn things around but presumably they will have given you some concrete guidance/feedback in the 6 month that you can use to work on.

Either way, come up with a plan of almost malicious compliance and ask them all the questions about how, what and why they want you to improve and ask them what they want to see you do to acheive these improvements. Take notes in front of them and/or send them emails either to ask the questions or to confirm and document the conversations, and/or email them after verbal discussions with bullet points of what they have said, and ask them to confirm that you have understood what they suggested, that way they will know that there is written record too which might dissuade them from any BS. This written record will also help you if they do decide to fail you at your review as you will be able to demonstrate that you were doing your best to improve and that the problem is with your manager.

Make sure you are practising self care and prioritising good sleep, good diet, and exercise over the next few months. Avoid alcohol and anything else that will have a detrimental effect on your performance and emotional and mental health and stability. Try to do something nice at the weekends to give yourself a bit of a break and just look at this as being a bit like studying for exams or something, it sucks right now, it is consuming your life right now but it will be over in a few months.

Anyway, sorry for the wall of text, I hope this helps, good luck, you've got this 😊 🤞💪

You're very welcome. Sorry for not coming back sooner to reply, things been busy.

Do make sure you are talking to your HR probation support asap to explain how you need your manager to be able to train you properly if you are to improve as they asking you to and that you feel like you are being put in an impossible position and being set up to fail. They may not agree with you or do anything about it but getting it on the record with them now will help you with an appeal. Also, report to them that your manager has said that they have no intention of passing you as that means that they had made the decision before giving you the chance to improve.

Good luck 💪