Probationary Period

Except for term employees, all employees must serve an initial probation period before being appointed to permanent status. At the start of the probationary period, employees will be advised of expectations regarding standards of performance.

In-Scope Probationary Period

All permanent employees must successfully complete an initial probation period before being appointed to permanent status.

At the start of a probationary period, employees will be informed of the performance standards required to achieve the full working level of the position based on the required qualifications (i.e. knowledge, capabilities and skills and any other position specific requirements such as licences, credentials, etc.).

During the probationary period, employees must demonstrate that they have the appropriate level of competence to do the work at the expected standard of performance.

The probationary period may be extended, with appropriate notification, if additional time is needed to demonstrate the qualifications of the position.

Managers/Supervisors are expected to document expectations and progress during the probationary period. 

For employees who are hired through a competition in Taleo, your probation evaluation will be documented on the Probation Management and Evaluation Form and you will be assessed by demonstration of the competencies required for the position. For more information, visit the competencies page on how competencies fit into our work.

For employees who are hired through a competition using GEM, your probation will be captured in the Probation Review document in the GEM system and assessed using capabilities and skills. Learn more about how capabilities and skills fit into our work.

For more information on in-scope probation, please refer to the CUPE or SGEU Collective Bargaining Agreements, Article 28 and Article 7, respectively.

Out-of-Scope Probationary Period

Unless waived by the Public Service Commission, out-of-scope employees shall serve a probationary period of 12 months of actual service for appointment to permanent status.

At the start of the probationary period, employees will be advised of the performance standards required to achieve the full working level of the position based on the required qualifications (i.e. knowledge, capabilities and skills and any other position specific requirements (e.g. licences, credentials, etc.)).

During the probationary period, employees will be expected to demonstrate that they have the appropriate level of competence to do the work at the expected standard of performance.

If the employee has not qualified for the position within 12 months of actual service, the permanent head supervising the employee may extend the probationary period of employment for one additional period not to exceed six months.

For employees who are hired through a competition in Taleo, your probation will be documented using the Planning for Success form and you will be assessed by demonstration of the Leadership and Management competencies required for the position. Learn more about how competencies fit into our work.

For employees who are hired through a competition using GEM, your probation will be captured in the Probation Review document in the GEM system and assessed using capabilities and skills.

For more information on out-of-scope probation, please refer to the HR Manual or the Public Service Regulations, 1999.

Terms

Term employees are expected to meet the same performance standards as permanent staff, including receiving clear expectations, regular check‑ins, ongoing coaching and timely feedback throughout their appointment. Although term employees do not serve a formal probationary period, once they have worked the equivalent of an initial probation period, they begin to accrue seniority that can be used to compete for other positions. Therefore, it’s important to assess and discuss the performance of term employees with the same level of attention as during a probation period, ensuring expectations are clear, progress is monitored and concerns are addressed and documented.