Probationary periods are part of our onboarding experience and play an important part of the start of a new joiner's career at Essex County Council (ECC). They are a 2-way process which allow both the new joiner to acclimatise, feel supported and connected to their team, but also for a line manager to have a defined period to set them up for success so that they can perform well in their new role.
Probation guidance
- Manager's guidance to probation
- Employee's guide to probation
- Probation procedure (PDF, 114KB)
- Probation hearing guide (PDF, 95KB)
Tracking performance in probation
Probationary check-ins should happen regularly and at least every 4 weeks, with formal reviews happening at 12, 20 and 26 weeks. These check-in conversations can be recorded in My Performance.
Letters and forms
- Confirmation that probation period is passed (DOCX, 65KB)
- Invite to probation hearing (DOCX, 65KB)
- Invite to probation appeal (DOCX, 65KB)
- Probation appeal form (DOCX, 47KB)
- Probation review form (DOCX, 52KB)
Template letters for unsuccessful probation periods and outcomes letters are available from People Support.