Employer legal responsibility

LightKnow

Hi all

I had few general questions which I did search online but couldn't find anything . 

1. When a person starts a new job. Is training a legal requirement ? Or can or is allowed to be skipped ?

2. Probation period Have different time scales with different companies ? Or is it usually 4 to 6 months ? Is there a contract in place for these usually or  could a company reduce the probation period if they see fit 

comeandgo

Depends on what sort of training, if it’s a legal requirement that you have the training required.  I have never been on any probationary period, job has been given, if I’m not up to it then would be sacked.

Savvy_Sue

Neither of these is automatically a legal requirement. It depends on the job, and what training might be reasonable. For example, a reminder of the basic "health and safety is everyone's responsibility" message is adequate for our office staff where the risks are fairly low and the premises are basically 'safe', whereas all our staff and volunteers who work in the kitchen undertake basic food hygiene training - but as far as I know that's not a legal requirement.

In a warehouse, shop or factory, training and certification is required for some jobs, just as an HGV licence is required for driving big lorries, and a PSV licence for driving a bus. 

Probation is pretty much irrelevant these days. An employer may indicate that there's a probationary period, which just means that there should be some kind of review at the end of that time. That period is 3 months for most jobs where I work, but 6 for senior managers - and for some reason that even applies to temporary posts of up to a year. In reality, you may 'pass' probation but still have your employer say "sorry it's not working out, bye" at any time within your first two years. 

So what's your ACTUAL question?

[Deleted User]

Training depends on the job and circs.
Once worked in a factory despatch under temporary where it was made clear you should pick up the duties of what to do in under one 4 hour shift (that was agency) to a small company where someone sitting with you part time and 4 days was about enough of there training time - did not suffer fools gladly at 6 weeks when a mistake was made you were out the door. But it depends most employers give more leeway if you are a young person. IMAO. And most deeply listen to accountants who seemingly know nothing either these days.

Probation does exist in my opinion and should beyond the 4th week of any employment for both sides - whilst most people who have happily had pension contributions over the last 8 months of a year but would knock someone who said to their recent Employer well, you haven't confirmed my employment by paying into pensions from 3 months so you haven't confirmed my employment therefore why should you have a month's notice I'm rather quite sure that argument would fail. You know Employers are just poor souls who don't need to know anything...

SingleSue

For my current role - training consisted of running in and out of the building whilst I was shown how to set the alarm, anything else was not covered, my first shift was awful and it is the first job I've had where I almost didn't go back for a second shift. As a result, I instigated proper in depth training and training/information manuals for new members of staff as soon as I became second in command at the location and could implement things like that without higher approval. 

No probation period for us, all very old school.

Thrugelmir

Your questions need context.  To broad and generalised to be answered. 

MalMonroe

LightKnow said:

Hi all

I had few general questions which I did search online but couldn't find anything . 

1. When a person starts a new job. Is training a legal requirement ? Or can or is allowed to be skipped ?

2. Probation period Have different time scales with different companies ? Or is it usually 4 to 6 months ? Is there a contract in place for these usually or  could a company reduce the probation period if they see fit 

Have you contacted acas? They can advise you on most aspects of employment. 

https://www.acas.org.uk/contact

Since last April, employers have to supply ALL employees with a written statement and according to acas, "employers must provide their workers and employees with their written statement on or before their first day of employment, no matter how long they're employed for" - more information about that is on the page in the following link from the acas website - 

https://www.acas.org.uk/employment-law-changes-from-6-april-2020

74jax

LightKnow said:

Hi all

I had few general questions which I did search online but couldn't find anything . 

1. When a person starts a new job. Is training a legal requirement ? Or can or is allowed to be skipped ?
For what job? You say 'skipped' as though there is training usually but it's being 'skipped'? I was in the construction sector so my industry had set training to be completed annually. 

2. Probation period Have different time scales with different companies ? Or is it usually 4 to 6 months ? Is there a contract in place for these usually or  could a company reduce the probation period if they see fit 
Completely different, company to company. No idea why company's still use it to be honest. You can be let go, bar protected characteristics in first 2 years

Is there a more 'specific' question. 

macman

Have you already started your new job? if so, your contract of employment should give you most of the answers you need.

Undervalued

MalMonroe said:

LightKnow said:

Hi all

I had few general questions which I did search online but couldn't find anything . 

1. When a person starts a new job. Is training a legal requirement ? Or can or is allowed to be skipped ?

2. Probation period Have different time scales with different companies ? Or is it usually 4 to 6 months ? Is there a contract in place for these usually or  could a company reduce the probation period if they see fit 

Have you contacted acas? They can advise you on most aspects of employment. 

https://www.acas.org.uk/contact

Since last April, employers have to supply ALL employees with a written statement and according to acas, "employers must provide their workers and employees with their written statement on or before their first day of employment, no matter how long they're employed for" - more information about that is on the page in the following link from the acas website - 

https://www.acas.org.uk/employment-law-changes-from-6-april-2020

Yes, they should.

However, as has been pointed out many times before there is no useful remedy if they don't in the vast majority of cases.

LightKnow

Thanks for all the information and clarification and website. My question was kind broad sorry. Yes I have secured employment. Since I not 100% sure how they do things. I just wanted ask in basic manner.