Probation period was extended because I have a new director that joined two weeks ago. Reasonable?

the_midnight_Wolfboy

Dear all,

Im reaching out to get a sanity check. I'm a financial planning and analysis  manager with 8 years post qualified experience.

I joined a medium sized company three months ago. 

I have received very positive feedback on my work, with the only negative feedback being I complain about the bad coffee in the office (freeze dried, no coffee machine) 

In parallel to this, the Incumbent Financial Controller who interviewed me left the Friday before I joined. 

Then subsequently the Finance Director  resigned and we've had a new FD start two weeks ago. It has been very chaotic...

Nonetheless despite my great feedback they want to extend my probation 2-3 months to see if I'm a good fit with the new FD who I report into now, who has only just started. 

On probation I have one week notice period vs 3 months standard contract. To be honest I have 12 months of savings, the bigger issue is I feel like I'm being punished because they've changed FD. 

Obviously get the rationale from a business point of view, it's free flexibility to them. But from an ethics point of view it leaves sour taste in my mouth. 

I just wanted to vent on here to understand if I'm being dramatic here, I.e I feel like walking and looking for another job. But appreciate it's easy to get emotional, which clouds objectivity. 

Next two months will be incredibly busy with the company new to year end reporting work, but feeling very demotivated. 

Emmia

They can let you go for no reason as you've been there for less than 2 years. If you feel a short extension to your probation (and terrible coffee*) is souring your job, do you really want to work there?

*On the coffee, if you really hate it, you could provide your own, and use a cafetiere or aeropress.

the_midnight_Wolfboy

They can let you go for no reason as you've been there for less than 2 years. If you feel a short extension to your probation (and terrible coffee*) is souring your job, do you really want to work there?

Yeah appreciate legally they can pretty much extend it for any reason. 

Personally I don't think its about the quantum of the extension, more the principle of being dangled on a string for 2-3 months, purely because the company has changed Finance Director who now wants her own assurance. 

Maybe I'm being childish about it, but I feel quite blind sighted after months of positive feedback.

Oh BTW I do bring my own coffee now! 

k12479

Sometimes you aren't eligible for certain company benefits until passing probation, I'd check there aren't any you're missing out on.

I'd also be thinking, and potentially raising, that a) a probation period being extended is a negative, how is this going to be accurately documented that it was due to company chaos and not individual performance? b) You don't expect to be tested you 'fit' with people arriving after you. What happens if the new FD doesn't fit in, fails probation or leaves?

Hoenir

the_midnight_Wolfboy said:

Next two months will be incredibly busy with the company new to year end reporting work, but feeling very demotivated. 

Sounds as if the job isn't living up to expectations. Year end is an opportunity to show your worth to the business. 

Marcon

the_midnight_Wolfboy said:

They can let you go for no reason as you've been there for less than 2 years. If you feel a short extension to your probation (and terrible coffee*) is souring your job, do you really want to work there?

Yeah appreciate legally they can pretty much extend it for any reason. 

Personally I don't think its about the quantum of the extension, more the principle of being dangled on a string for 2-3 months, purely because the company has changed Finance Director who now wants her own assurance. 

That's unwelcome but not unreasonable, although perhaps surprising. Given how new you are, they could easily get rid of you if you and the new FD don't get on.

I'd go back and question why, that being the case, your probationary period is being extended when you have had excellent feedback thus far.

Hoenir said:

the_midnight_Wolfboy said:

Next two months will be incredibly busy with the company new to year end reporting work, but feeling very demotivated. 

Sounds as if the job isn't living up to expectations. Year end is an opportunity to show your worth to the business. 

Indeed - although given your current demotivated state, that may be more difficult than it should be.

EnPointe

k12479 said:

Sometimes you aren't eligible for certain company benefits until passing probation, I'd check there aren't any you're missing out on.

I'd also be thinking, and potentially raising, that a) a probation period being extended is a negative, how is this going to be accurately documented that it was due to company chaos and not individual performance? b) You don't expect to be tested you 'fit' with people arriving after you. What happens if the new FD doesn't fit in, fails probation or leaves?

exactly  this