0813 Probationary Review Procedures

User Manual: Probationary-Review-Procedures

Open the PDF directly: View PDF PDF.
Page Count: 4

Download0813 - Probationary Review Procedures Probationary-Review-Procedures
Open PDF In BrowserView PDF
The Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of SA Inc

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

Probationary Review Procedures
STATEMENT
The Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of SA Inc (PQSA) is committed to the retention
of skilled and knowledgeable staff through the application of a Performance Management
System that is fair and equitable. PQSA recognises that new employees/volunteers will need
a period of time to become familiar with PQSA and to move toward competency in their new
position. The Probationary Review process is designed to: assess an employee/volunteer’s
suitability to undertake their new role; to identify areas of concern that can be managed and
mentored; to ensure the employee/volunteer is confident and has the appropriate knowledge
and skills to perform their new role competently.

Approved by:

Date: August 2013

Chief Executive Officer

Registered by:

Date: August 2013

Manager, Human Resources

Probationary Review Procedures

page 1 of 4

SCOPE
This procedure covers all divisions of PQSA and applies to all employees, full time, part-time,
Casual Support Workers, collectors and volunteers.

PRINCIPALS
The purpose of the Probationary Period is to provide support, orientation, guidance, on the
job training and coaching to new employees, allowing them the opportunity to learn and fulfill
the requirements of their new position.
To effectively monitor the progress of a new employee during the Probationary Period
effectively, the Manager/Supervisor must communicate with, give assistance to and
encourage the new employee while they are adjusting to and learning their new position.
During the Probationary Period, the new employee will be evaluating and adjusting to their
new position and work environment, determining if expectations are being met and assessing
their overall compatibility with PQSA, its mission and values.
Probationary Periods
Probationary Periods are generally 3-6 months in length. The length of the Probationary
Period will be stated in the terms and conditions of employment.
In the case of Casual Support Workers, the Probationary Period is specified in their
Enterprise Agreement.
The Chief Executive Officer has the discretion to waive or extend the Probationary Period
where reasonable justification exists.
Where a suitable candidate refuses to accept the conditions of probation as a condition of
employment, the offer of employment must be withdrawn.
Promotion or Transfer
If an employee is promoted or transferred to a new position, the appropriate Probationary
Period and review is again required.
Change of Status
An employee cannot change from a probationary status to employment status unless their
Probationary Review Form shows an acceptable assessment and the status change is
endorsed by the relevant Manager.
Procedures
On commencement of employment, new employees must participate in an Induction
Program. The probation process should complement the induction process to help create a
positive and supportive working environment, allowing new employees to settle into the
organization and learn the key elements of the job, within a reasonable and realistic
timescale.
A minimum of two reviews must be conducted by the Manager/Supervisor within the
Probationary Period. Additional reviews may be conducted at any time.
The outcome of each review must be documented in writing on the form provided by the HR
Department.
The new employee must be afforded the opportunity to read and sign the documented
review, and add their own comments if they chose.
Reviews should be interactive and provide the:
Manager/Supervisor with the opportunity to:
 Review progress;
 Provide constructive feedback on performance;
 Discuss problems and concerns;
 Provide assistance and advice.;
 Identify any training needs;
 Clarify the requirements of the position against their conditions of employment, job
description and the policies and procedures that must be followed.

Probationary Review Procedures

page 2 of 4

The new employee with the opportunity to:
 Discuss openly any difficulties they are experiencing;
 Review progress;
 Provide constructive feedback on performance;
 Identify any training/mentoring needs.
All Probationary Review forms and any supporting documentation must be completed,
signed and forwarded to the Human Resource Department.
Performance Issues
Where performance issues are highlighted during the Probationary Period, the
Manager/Supervisor should raise these concerns with the new employee in a timely manner
and record them on the new employee’s Probationary Review Form, ensuring the form is
signed by both parties. The Manager/Supervisor should conduct regular weekly/fortnightly
Performance Development sessions with the new employee in accordance with the “Below
Standard Performance Procedures”.
Extension of Probationary Period.
It may be appropriate to consider an extension to the Probationary Period to allow every
opportunity for the employee to reach the required job performance. If this option is being
considered, it should be discussed with the Manager, Human Resources prior to the
employee being informed. Other than in exceptional circumstances, the Probationary Period
would not be extended for more than one (1) month.
The extension of the Probationary Period must be confirmed in writing to the employee at
least seven (7) working days prior to the expiration of the Probationary Period. The written
extension must clearly outline the reasons for the extension and define objectives to ensure
the new employee understands the performance issues in question and the expected
performance improvement outcomes.
Confirmation of Employment
The Manager/Supervisor will recommend in writing to their Manager and the Manager,
Human Resources that the employee’s Probation Period has been satisfactorily completed
and employment should be confirmed.
On satisfactory completion of the Probationary Period, the Human Resource Department will
issue a Confirmation of Employment Letter that is to be signed by the Manager/Supervisor.
Confirmation of employment must happen prior to the completion of the Probationary Period.
A signed copy of the letter must be returned to the Human Resource Department to be
placed on the employees file.
The Manager/Supervisor must take care to ensure that the Probationary Period does not
lapse prior to an appropriate assessment of the employee’s skills and suitability to the
position. Once the end date of the probation has passed, the employee’s employment is
confirmed regardless of whether they have received written or verbal advice.
Termination of Employment during the Probationary Period
A fixed Probationary Period does not require PQSA to keep a new employee in employment
for the whole of the period if it is clear, on reasonable grounds, that the new employee is not
suitable for their new position.
If an employee is deemed unsuitable for their new position for reasons of performance or
conduct, the probation period may be terminated on the giving of notice by either party, in
accordance with the industrial instrument under which they are employed. Payment may be
made in lieu of notice.
Termination of employment can only occur through the process outlined below prior to the
end of probation. If termination of employment is necessary after the end of probation has
passed, then the disciplinary procedures in the applicable industrial instrument must be
followed.

Probationary Review Procedures

page 3 of 4

The new employee should be managed in accordance with the processes in these
procedures, ensuring that they are provided with appropriate induction, performance
management, and development opportunities, prior to being deemed unsuitable for the
position. If the employee is deemed unsuitable, the following process will commence prior to
the end of the probation period:
1.

The staff member shall be advised of, and given an opportunity to respond to, any
adverse material which the Manager/Supervisor may consider in a decision to terminate
employment.

2.

The Manager/Supervisor will make the recommendation to their Manager and the
Manager Human Resources that the employment of the employee should be terminated.
The Manager/Supervisor will be required to provide a written report to support their
recommendation for termination.

3.

If termination of employment is approved, the employee will be provided with a written
communication detailing the reasons for and confirming the termination.

Appeals and Grievances
Employees have the right to appeal the decision to terminate employment. Appeals against
termination must be lodged in writing to the Manager, Human Resources. Appeals must be
heard by a Senior Manager and the Manager Human Resources within twenty-four (24)
hours of the appeal being lodged. Grievances against the probationary procedures will be
handled in accordance with the Grievance Policy and Procedures.
Confidentiality
Documentation relating to new employee Probationary Reviews will be treated with the
utmost confidentiality.

RELATED DOCUMENTATION









Performance Management System Policy
Support Worker Probationary Review and Assessment Procedures
Probationary Reviews templates
Extension of Probation letter template
Confirmation of Employment letter template
Appeals procedures
HomeCare+ Enterprise Agreement 2011
Grievance Policy and Procedures

Probationary Review Procedures

page 4 of 4



Source Exif Data:
File Type                       : PDF
File Type Extension             : pdf
MIME Type                       : application/pdf
PDF Version                     : 1.5
Linearized                      : Yes
Author                          : lianaa
Create Date                     : 2017:10:24 11:18:45+10:30
Modify Date                     : 2017:10:24 11:18:45+10:30
XMP Toolkit                     : Adobe XMP Core 5.4-c005 78.147326, 2012/08/23-13:03:03
Format                          : application/pdf
Creator                         : lianaa
Title                           : Microsoft Word - 0813 - Probationary Review Procedures
Creator Tool                    : PScript5.dll Version 5.2.2
Producer                        : Acrobat Distiller 11.0 (Windows)
Document ID                     : uuid:504c5d07-b42c-494a-9404-4bf0fc134cca
Instance ID                     : uuid:eb87cbb0-25dd-4712-ada2-64e33a7876f9
Page Count                      : 4
EXIF Metadata provided by EXIF.tools

Navigation menu