Initial Probation or Trial Period (Employee Relations) [Personnel Manager]

A competitive employee must serve a probation period during the first year of his/her first permanent Federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. This probation is an extension and continuation of the merit system competitive examination process required for initial entry into Federal service.

During this probationary period, you must evaluate the employee's job performance and work behavior, as well as his/her character, conduct, and attitude that directly affect job performance. Throughout the period the supervisor should document performance and conduct activity in the Supervisor's Employee Work Folder.

Prior to the end of the one-year probation period, the Servicing Personnel Office (SPO) will notify you of the requirement for a written certification of the probationer's performance. If the supervisory certification is not timely, an employee who does not deserve continued employment may attain that status by default.

If an employee fails to successfully complete the probation period, then you must take action early on to consult with the SPO on options available. Options may include:

•Reassignment

•Demotion

•Removal

REF:
n 5 CFR Part 315

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Revised: 11/18/98
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