Offered a permanent job contract - no probation period and 3 months notice period

db570uk

Hi To All

I was offered a permanent job on Tuesday this week and
was looking over the contract and seen the employer doesnt stipulate a probation period for me even though at the interview they had said 3 months. I am not sure if they have now changed their mind. I have a hidden disability (past cancer). I made the company aware during recruitment

I have always had a probationary perod to work to in all the jobs I have had

Is there anything I should be wary of if I did take up the job offer. I am worried without a probationary period I wont be told what is expected of me objectively, normally what people are told through their probation period) and could be easily dismissed

Also the employer has put there that I have to give 3 months notice if I decide to leave the post. I feel that is a bit excessive but the wage I am being paid is quite high.

Grateful for any thoughts

elsien

The probationary period is academic as with or without it they can get shut of you at any point anyway, unless it's directly related to your disability.
You should be asking about what's expected of you anyway, if you're unclear. You can always follow up by email if you want a record and formal 1/2/1s aren't happening.
With regards to the 3 months notice, how much do they give you if they do decide to let you go for any reason?

El_Torro

You're not really protected until you've been there 2 years anyway, so a lack of probation period doesn't really help you that much. It does mean that they have to give you the contracted notice period if they do decide to get rid of you though, so that's a bonus.


A 3 month notice period is pretty normal in the company I currently work for. Since you say the salary is quite high I wouldn't be too surprised about it. If you're applying for relatively senior positions in future then employers do often expect to have to wait up to 3 months for you.

db570uk

Thanks Elsien and El Torro!
I had a bad experience in my last role that I started in Aug 1st 2018. I left last month. I am wary about probation periods and not being told what is expected of me and also not getting any feedback from the manager until the probation meeting on a 6 month probation period (even after a 3 month review in month 5 where I asked for feedback and didnt get any from the manager in 2 meetings thayt I had). The probation was extended by 3 months and I left when I saw the objectives I was being set for the extension were subjective (not objective and had no KPI's) and reasons for the extension was not produced and put in writing by HR. The job in August had been retracted after I declared disability to request some adjustments and was offered chance to work from home when I asked for reason for them withdrawing the job offer. During the last job colleagues were tipping me off with "dont you know they dont want you" and "me working from home is a bone of contention" the day of my probation meeting. Hence I am very wary. In this new job I have been offered they have included a clause "all work must be done effectively and efficiently" hence very wary as I dont have all the skills they require, just like the last job. the manager at interview for the last job said I wouldnt be expected to know everything but in the probation meeting was now holding me to each skill listed in the job specification as a reason to extend. The new company know about my past cancer as I had to explain past discrimination as reasons for only spending 4 and 6 months in two out of my last 3 roles

The plus side of the probation period did give me an insight into that company, and was a relief to leave in the end. i will be going in the office 5 days a week in the new job and having to put a dampner on symptoms to try to make this job work.

elsien

Don't wait until a formal review if you're not sure about things.
Ask how you can find out/learn as soon as you spot any deficits. If it's a high paid role, I presume they'll expect you to be pro-active in this respect.
Good luck.

db570uk

Hi Elsien
I definitely will learn from the last experience and ask for feedback each month, unfortunately I didnt stand a chance in the last role (set up to fail with poorly defined tasks and held to a task I was told by the manager was very difficult though he was telling my colleagues and HR in my probation meeting was easy and the graduate could do it - deceitful). With the new role I didnt want a high salary, (manipulated by the recruitment agency who put pitched me middle of scale when i wanted bottom of pay scale). Manager in new company said in interview high salary it was to attractnew hire to work in the south as they are finding it hard to get people.