Probation

The Civil Service recognises that our people are our greatest asset. We recognise the importance of supporting civil servants’ integration and development when they first join our organisations and when they are promoted into a new post.

Probation is the process of ensuring that newly-appointed or promoted civil servants (‘probationers’) are meeting the required standards of performance, attendance and conduct. It is also a support mechanism for each probationer to integrate into their post and be given the opportunity to achieve the required standards through honest, fair and supportive feedback.

The probationary period should allow managers and employees to discuss performance, progress and objectives, which should be assessed throughout the probationary period through regular formal review meetings.

Probation is the process of managing performance to integrate new employees into the Department or Office. Probation is in effect an extension of the selection process.

The probationary process must be operated in an open, clear and supportive manner so as to ensure that a “full picture” of the employee’s suitability for the employment is obtained.

This will enable the employer to make the appropriate decision as to whether the person should be retained in the employment.

The Probation Guidelines provide information on how to manage employees effectively while on probation. Line managers can obtain further advice from their Personnel Units/HR sections.