Failed Probation

EP

Fail is an incredibly negative word to tar yourself with.

It's their word, not mine. I have been advised above to:

Comms69 said:

Dont lie - that's rule number 1. If asked say you were injured, took time off and the employer decided not to offer a further contract.

Re:

Emmia said:

just put the dates of your employment, and state that you left as a permanent contract wasn't offered at the end of your probationary period, due to an injury that you suffered (that you're hopefully recovered from?)

Should I state the fact the permanent contract wasn't offered at the end of the probationary period due to the injury in the application (Covering Letter) or leave it to the interview (if there is one)? The comments above would suggest 1) from the OP i.e.

EP said:

My question: how to explain this "failure" to future employers. The approaches I can think of are:

1. Just put the dates of employment and make no other mention about reason for leaving
2. State I failed the probation, possibly with a comment on the lines of "I dispute the reasons" etc.
3. Go into greater detail - I could include the response sent to HR re all of the points they raised.
   

It looks bad on my CV. I've never had performance issues anywhere else I have worked.
Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

theoretica

I wouldn't say 'due' to injury as that wasn't the wording the employer used.  Something like I had a longish period of absence due to an injury (if something that is not likely to reoccur like a broken leg I would say what it was) and my contract was not extended beyond probation.  Leaves your listener to conclude the 'due to' but doesn't actually say it.

Brynsam

EP said:

A complication is that a job I wish to apply for is next door to the old employer. I have already met the potential new manager, whilst in the previous post, who must have heard the story about why I was dismissed....

Stop agonising, apply and see what happens. Just gives the dates of your employment with your last employer and leave it at that.

jonnygee2

Won't I have to say (if asked) "I completed and 'failed' the probation period. I was absent when the probation period ended."?

I would say something like 'unfortunately the employer decided not to continue the employment after the end of the probation period', if asked, or if references are likely.

LittleVoice

I second not using the word "failed" - obviously not on a CV but also in an interview or on an application form which asks why you left.  Don't give a "reason for leaving" on the CV - it eats up space you could put to better use.
You left after you had an injury (from which you are now fully recovered) and did not enter into a "permanent" contract.

oh_really

Following an injury within your probation period a mutually agreed exit was arranged (this may be dependant on the employer though).

Annisele

I don't think there's anything untrue about "my employer didn't feel able to keep me on after my probation period". Unless an interviewer probes, I wouldn't go into why that was. An awful lot of people are being let go at the moment, and in most cases that has far more to do with the global pandemic than it does with anything the employee has or has not done.