By Gene Blankenship
A probationary period is a period of specified time (usually 12 months) at the beginning of employment that is used for a close review of an employee’s performance prior to granting the employee permanent status. This is the final step in the selection process. Under the new Civil Service system, the probationary period is STILL enforced.
A probationary period helps the supervisor and employee:
- adapt to his/her job and work environment
- recognize effective performance
- identify aspects of performance that could be improved
- be used as a tool for guidance in training
The probationary period is a working, test period during which an employee is required to demonstrate fitness for the job family and level to which appointed. The probationary period for an appointed employee is one year. The decision to grant a probationary employee permanent status is based on supervisory documentation, written evaluations, recommendations, or other pertinent information. The probationary period may not be extended beyond one year but may be adjusted, per Oklahoma Administrative Code 260:25-11-36. When a probationary employee is absent from work in excess of 30-calendar days, the probationary period is adjusted by the number of days he or she is absent. An employee may be discharged at any time during the probationary period.
(1) The probationary period is a working, test period during which an employee is required to demonstrate fitness for the job. The decision to grant a probationary employee permanent status is based on supervisory documentation, written evaluations, recommendations, or other pertinent information.
(2) Any adjustment of the probationary period must be reviewed and approved by the division director or his or her designee. When permanent status is granted, the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) Human Capital Management (HCM) Division and the employee receive confirmation from Human Resource Management.
(3) Employee benefits are available to probationary employees.
(4) A probationary employee’s change in shift assignment or a significant change of duties in excess of 30 calendar days requires prior OMES HCM approval.
(5) A probationary employee is not:
(A) eligible for promotion or demotion;
(B) eligible to apply for job announcements;
(C) transferred from the locality where originally appointed;
(D) changed from part-time to full-time; or
(E) transferred to a position in another job family.
(6) a probationary employee may apply for a job through the HCM application system. If a job offer is subsequently made, the offer is to a new appointment and the employee is required to:
(A) resign from the position held at the time of acceptance; and
(B) begin a new one-year probationary period in the new position.
