Relocating for a new job with 3 month probationary period. What if I don't pass?

jimsie1

I am a graphic designer and I have been desperately looking for a new job for the last 3 years because I wasn't happy where I was in regards to low pay, the location and the work itself. I have recently got a new job that is ideal for me with decent pay, good work and moving to a town that is much better for me.

The problem is that to start this job, I have had to find somewhere to rent close to my new work. I managed to only find one flat that suited all my needs and I can just about afford on my new wages. Like most rented flats it comes with a 6 month contract and my new job has a 3 month probationary period.

From what I can tell, this is all quite normal but what if I don't pass my probationary period? Considering it has taken me 3 years just to find this job, it won't be easy for me to find something else especially not locally. From what I understand housing benefit wouldn't even come close to paying the rent.

Hopefully it won't ever come to this. But I was wondering if anybody had any other advice for some kind of back up plan if this did happen? It must be a common situation for people who relocate for a new job.

bargainbetty

You are between a rock and a hard place. I know you know this, but it is not an unusual situation and you have to prepare for it.

You might want to consider a house-share rather than a formal lease for a while. It would have a smaller impact on your wages, leave you a bit more wiggle room should things not work out and be easier to get out of if things fail. Put stuff into storage for a while (lots of places do deals so you'd only pay for two out of the three months) and hedge your bets until you have your permanent contract in your hand.

Good luck in your new job

DD265

Good luck in your new job! Why do you think you might not pass probation?

If the worst came to the worst I'd probably rely on family in that situation.

ETA, I'd be tempted to look for a house share rather than renting if possible?

jimsie1

DD265 wrote: »

Good luck in your new job! Why do you think you might not pass probation?

If the worst came to the worst I'd probably rely on family in that situation.

ETA, I'd be tempted to look for a house share rather than renting if possible?

Thank you. There is no real reason that I don't think i will pass probation, I just know that companies don't need a good reason to not offer a full contract.

House sharing or being a lodger might have been a more sensible option but I have become used to living alone and thought it would be the easiest option considering I now have all my own furniture. The deposit and legal fees have already been paid for on the new flat.

notanewuser

Whether you pass probation or not, your new employer can fire you for any non-discriminatory reason within 24 months of you starting.

cazziebo

jimsie1 wrote: »

Thank you. There is no real reason that I don't think i will pass probation, I just know that companies don't need a good reason to not offer a full contract.

You have to balance that with the pain of going through the whole recruitment process again - very expensive and time consuming!

How much confidence do you have in the company? Do they seem well organised, well run, good sales pipeline, full order book? If the answer to these are yes, then it's all up to you. If you didn't match up to the job, it would be more usual to extend probation and that would send off some warning signals that it might not go well and you could think about giving up the lease at the 6 month mark.

I would take it as a positive sign that you have taken on a rental agreement - that demonstrates commitment to making this job work.

Had you not yet accepted the job I would have suggested asking for some support for relocation, or an enhanced severance package if things were not to work out. Probably missed that boat now.

good luck in the new role!

cazziebo

notanewuser wrote: »

Whether you pass probation or not, your new employer can fire you for any non-discriminatory reason within 24 months of you starting.

But it's unlikely they will unless something goes wrong - conduct, performance, or need to downsize.

I know we get a lot of horror stories on here, but most employers hire because they want a job done. If the person hired can do that job there is no reason to think they won't be retained long term. Retention is often a KPI - high staff turnover is bad for everyone.

jimsie1

notanewuser wrote: »

Whether you pass probation or not, your new employer can fire you for any non-discriminatory reason within 24 months of you starting.

That is a good point. So I guess the probationary period wouldn't make much difference in that regard. But I think they would have to give more notice with a full contract and it would be much less likely if they have already been happy enough to offer the contract.

jimsie1

cazziebo wrote: »

You have to balance that with the pain of going through the whole recruitment process again - very expensive and time consuming!

How much confidence do you have in the company? Do they seem well organised, well run, good sales pipeline, full order book? If the answer to these are yes, then it's all up to you. If you didn't match up to the job, it would be more usual to extend probation and that would send off some warning signals that it might not go well and you could think about giving up the lease at the 6 month mark.

I would take it as a positive sign that you have taken on a rental agreement - that demonstrates commitment to making this job work.

Had you not yet accepted the job I would have suggested asking for some support for relocation, or an enhanced severance package if things were not to work out. Probably missed that boat now.

good luck in the new role!

I am pretty confident in the company and an extended probation period would at least give me enough time to pay the rent for 6 month. Since I have been looking for a new job for such a long time and was just happy to be offered the role, I didn't even consider asking for anything extra.

Hopefully I am just worrying over nothing, I just didn't really think about what would happen if things didn't work out.

bristol_pilot

Even if you were not on a probationary period, it would be wise to go into a low-cost houseshare or lodgings initially rather than relocate properly until a few months have passed and you have established how the job is working out. I have known people be 'let go' on their first day....not because they did anything wrong, but because the employer's right hand did not know what the left hand was doing.

Personally I'd think twice about accepting job with a so-called probationary period. They have no special meaning in UK law, you can be sacked for any or no reason for the first two years anyway. What a 'probationary period' says to me is that they are going to actively look for reasons to get rid of you after 3 months which is not good.

stix62

bristol_pilot wrote: »

..
Personally I'd think twice about accepting job with a so-called probationary period. They have no special meaning in UK law, you can be sacked for any or no reason for the first two years anyway. What a 'probationary period' says to me is that they are going to actively look for reasons to get rid of you after 3 months which is not good.

The last time I passed a 3 months probationary period I was made redundant 3 weeks later. :wall: