Tips for Passing Your Probation at Work

With the hard work of finding a suitable job vacancy, impressing your interviewees, and surviving the endless interview process, it can be easy to feel like once you have accepted a job offer, you can relax. While that is potentially partially true (you certainly deserve to feel a bit more at ease and pleased with your results), it’s important to remember that you will still have to pass your work probation, which is typically between 6 weeks to 6 months.

In this article, we discuss what a work probation period is, how long they typically are, and show you how to have the best chances of passing your probation.

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What is a probation period?

When you start a new job, you are placed on probation, which is a time for you to settle in and show the company that you can successfully complete the job as outlined in your job description.

Throughout this time, you will be tested (directly or indirectly) to make sure you have the skills and knowledge you have demonstrated in your interview. You manager will set you tasks to get on with and assuming you can complete them well and not require too much support from others, there’s no reason for you to fail you probation.

Remember this is also a chance for you to showcase your personality and show demonstrate that you are a hard-working, team player.

Employees on probation can be fired without the standard notice period.

Read our latest tips for starting a new job.

How long is a probation period?

While your probation time will vary from job to job, you can expect to be on probation between six weeks and six months (but can be as much as a year).

You will be told how long your probation period is either during your interview or shortly after you start.

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Why are probation periods put in place?

The recruitment process is not 100% perfect. Even with changes to the interview process (such as adding personality and aptitude tests), sometimes the wrong candidates can get put forward and offered jobs. Once in the role, it’s easier to gauge someone’s ability and without a probation period, employers would be at risk of having to keep on members of staff who were unsuitable for the role longer than without one.

A probation period gives employers the chance to assess their new recruits on the job, for a suitable length of time, to ensure they are a good fit for the role and responsibilities.

It’s common for employers to discover, a few weeks into the employment relationship, that new hires:

Don’t deliver the skills or performance they promised at interview

Have poor timekeeping or attendance

Are a bad fit in terms of personality or organisational culture

Probationary periods also allow employers to manage the working relationship flexibly, so they can address any problem areas before agreeing on a full-time contract.

Read more: How to ask for a pay rise

Can you fail a probation period?

Yes, not only is it possible to fail your probation, but actually a staggering 20% of employees will fail to pass their probation. That is a high fail rate when you consider how competitive the job market is, and how tough it can be to just get an interview in the first place. It goes to show, job acceptance doesn’t end when you say “yes” – you must continue to work hard and drive success from your very first day.   

There are many reasons why someone could fail to pass their probation, including:

• Poor performance.
• Personality clashes or poor culture fit.
• Poor time management.
• Absences.

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Can you be put back on a probation at work?

Extended probations are available for businesses to use, if they feel you have potential but need more time to show them you can succeed in your job role. If you’ve been placed on an extended probation, you will likely have a meeting with your HR department, to discuss why you didn’t pass your probation first time and what you can do to improve. It’s important that you make all the changes suggested in this meeting, as that will help increase your chances of passing your extended probation. You are unlikely to be offered another extended probation, so really take this second chance, and make it work!

If you feel you could benefit from additional training to help in your new job role, speak with one of our Course Consultants on +44 (0) 20 3198 7700 or fill out our contact form, and someone will be in touch with you to discuss your training options shortly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easy to pass work probation?

If you understand what employers are looking for in their employees, it’s easier to pass your probation. Be mindful of areas that can cause you problems and work around them. If you struggle with lateness or attendance, make it a priority to leave earlier and be sure to aim for 100% attendance, especially in your probation period.  

What happens when you pass probation at work?

After you have successfully passed your probation, the full obligations of your work contract come into effect, including your legal notice period.

Any benefits that were withheld before this point will be available to you (such as private medical insurance and generous pension contributions).

How can you fail probation?

There are many ways you can fail to pass your probation, including underwhelming performance, clashes of personality with senior staff or other team members, having poor time management (being late or leaving early), and not turning up for work.