Re: Orientation or probation

From: Cara Levinson
Email: CaraBLevinson@aol.com
Date: February 09, 2005

Comments

So nice to hear from you, Teri. What a fun forum for reconnecting!

I pretty much prefer any term over "probationary." "Introductory period" or "orientation period" are far better. As you know, employees tend to latch onto language that suggests permanency in their employment. Everyone looks for job security, so this is certainly understandable. However, from an employer's perspective, I would rather not be in a position of having to explain that the end of the "probationary period" doesn't mean the employee is now a "permanent employee." (Believe it or not, I have seen non-union employers call their post-introductory period employees by that term.)

Your second question, about job descriptions, is so important that I'm going to start a separate discussion devoted to that topic. Thanks for suggesting it!