End of Probation with Civil Service

David4Wheels

Morning, I started working for the civil service a number of months ago and have been utterly miserable ever since. Variety of reasons but mostly due to ageism issues within. Anyway, I have been so unhappy I was thinking about giving my notice, however, I was given a letter on Friday inviting me to a meeting this week re '...your failure to meet the required standard during probation." Well, I am a little blown away regarding this as nothing has been intimated to me. I am invited to have a union rep by way of representation at the meeting but I'm not in the union.

It's slightly odd because I am desperate to leave but I am now concerned about my rights as an employee on probation. I am currently unable to access the probation policy and procedures section online as I am off today.

I am now concerned that I will be summarily dimissed at the meeting this week and then not paid up to the end of the month. Does anybody have experience of civil service and probationary periods and what rights, if any, I have regarding notice period/money in lieu of motice etc.

Many thanks, David

gunsti

Hi David,

You won't be summarily dismissed unless you are found to have committed gross misconduct.

They will then have to give you sufficient notice as per your contract or PILON for that period.

Is the meeting you're invited to a disciplinary? or is it a probation review?

Without knowing all that has gone on, you seem to imply that you have been treated less fairly due to your age? Therefore I would suggest that you try and list all incidents related to this, as age discrimination is something that you are protected against.

marlot

A couple of additional ideas for you ...

Were you set objectives to meet during the probationary period?
Did you have regular reviews regarding your progress? Were they documented?

You may well be on 1 week notice during the probation period. So they only have to pay a week from when they decide to terminate.

Unless you can fight on the basis of age discrimination of course.

You may want to think about taking a colleague to the meeting - it can sometimes be helpful to have someone else there.

David4Wheels

Many thanks for your input chaps.
The meeting is supposed to be a probation review. However, as my probation was extended three months ago and the letter is headed 'failure to reach required standard etc etc' this seems to be only heading one way.
After a succession of managers, and no proper training or mentoring, (even though this was promised to me) it appears they think I am not up to speed, and I would rather have to agree with them.

However, the point being that they have not assisted me in the slightest and no consideration has been given to my age which I am led to believe should have happened in terms of gearing my training needs etc. Anyway, suffice to say I will be more than happy to see the back of the place and its contents, been a wretched experience.

I have now looked through the probation policy paperwork and it seems that as I have served under 4 years, they are obliged to give me 5 weeks notice, it also seems like I would be asked to go immediately. I do want to fight my corner as I have been treated abysmally, and I want to make sure I get all the pay etc that is due to me. More updates to follow, no doubt. Thanks again for your help, really appreciated. David

missyp284

Hi David, I don't really have any advise for you but just wanted to let you know I've just been through what sounds like exactly the same situation, albeit not for the Civil Service.

I had my probation extended and received no training or support from my manager despite repeated requests. I had a meeting with my manager and HR last Tuesday to discuss the extension of my probation and knew exactly how it was going to go. So much so I had my resignation letter prepared in advance.

I went to the meeting, and listened to 20 minutes worth of my manager telling me I had met expectations, and her denials that even I'd asked for training/support etc. In the end I gave them my notice and left.

I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

I've already had four strong job leads and an interview lined up for next week.

So, I guess the purpose of my reply is, especially if you'll get 5 weeks notice pay, if it does come to you leaving it probably won't be the end of the world and something better will be around the corner.

harrys_dad

So 3 months ago you "had your probation extended" and still didn't join a union???

Tara55_2

Hi David, I know your post was a long time ago but I'm going through the same situation at the Civil Service as you did. Probationary period extended due to Manager after two weeks verbally saying I was struggling and not up to speed? Since then I have not seen any objectives/set tasks, feedback etc and worked my hardest to do the job. I had a very unprofessional Manager at the start who even called the higher Manager a dragon in reception on my first day. Since then this Manager has moved to another team and due to her comments my probation will be extended by 2 months. I'm totally stressed and daily looking for a new job. I have worked for 29 years and never been treated like this. Past employers have been very pleased with my work. Did you manage to escape and move on to something better. They shouldn't be allowed to get away with this and the way they treat people!