90 Days to Prove Yourself: The Power of a Probationary Period

How to execute a successful probationary period

1. Before you hire, make sure this is the right person for the job.

Don’t hire based just on a gut feeling. Develop a list of the necessary competencies, and only accept resumes that match them. During the interview process, avoid general “tell us about yourself” HR questions; instead, probe to learn the candidate’s skill set as it relates to the desired competencies. In many cases, hiring a recruiting firm to do the pre-screening (as long as you are specific about what you need to screen for) may be worthwhile.

If you’re presented with two or three equally qualified candidates who seem a good fit for the position and your company culture, then you can consult your gut.

2. Provide a mentor.

If your idea of training is a quick overview of what the employee needs to do, you’re setting them up for failure. Foster an environment where asking questions is encouraged. 

Better yet, assign the new hire a mentor charged with answering the new employee’s questions and addressing their concerns. Mentors contribute to a positive company culture, rich communication and upskilling.

3. Develop an onboarding program.

The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) estimates every new hire will cost a company $4,700. However, most employers estimate that completing the onboarding process costs them three to four times the position’s salary.

Given the costs of replacing new hires who don’t work out, the upfront investment to properly train and familiarize new employees with their job responsibilities and performance requirements during the onboarding process is money well spent.

4. Set reasonable expectations and check in periodically.

Don’t overburden a new worker with tasks; allow some time for them to get the lay of the land. Once a new hire gains confidence in performing a limited set of tasks, you can expand their responsibilities. 

Involve co-workers to support the onboarding process and beyond. At the start, check in frequently and early to see how things are going, what problems are encountered and how those problems can best be solved.

5. Give a new hire sufficient time to adapt.

Don’t adopt hard-and-fast rules like “90 days or you’re out.” People adjust differently to different kinds of challenges, and some take time to fit into a company’s culture. The best rule of thumb is to ask people who perform similar jobs how long it took them to feel comfortable and competent in what they do. 

After that period is the best time for you and your new hire to sit down and discuss how things are going and what you can do to make sure they are able to accomplish their tasks.

Pros and cons of a 30-day probationary period

Pros

Here are some of the advantages of a probation period for a business and its new employees.

Training and support

The 30-day probation period gives additional time for the recruit to gain training with the support of management. While the onboarding process involves learning, this additional time is an opportunity for new employees to raise their concerns and ask questions.

Time to review decision

A probation period gives the company and the recruit enough time to determine whether they made the right decision. The company can assess the new employee’s skills and determine their suitability for the role.

On the other hand, the employee has enough time to decide if they are ready to take the position. If either party wishes to terminate the contract, they can do so within 30 days.

Cons

The 30-day probation period poses some disadvantages as well.

Lower employee motivation

New employees are often under a lot of pressure to perform exceptionally well or put themselves in danger of losing their jobs. These conditions may lower their morale and reduce their confidence in their work. New recruits who work with skilled employees may feel undervalued.

Risk

The company and the recruit face risks during the probation period. The company reveals crucial confidential information to an employee who may leave after 30 days. Some organizations have reported theft from their new employees.

Employees also risk injury, especially in manual labor roles, for a job they may not keep. They also face the risk of leaving their current employer only to be dissatisfied with the terms of the new workplace, causing them to leave.