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Human Resources
University of Mississippi

Performance Management
Probationary Review for New Staff Members

The probationary period and the probationary staff review should be discussed with the staff member at the time of hire. A staff member is eligible for a probationary review after completion of three months of service and no later than six months of service (unless a contractual employee). Ninety days after the employee’s start date, the online Probationary Staff Review form is made available to the supervisor.  The supervisor will receive an email with instructions to access the online form on the University’s site, connectU, within the “Performance & Engagement” tile. 

The probationary review consists of a brief review of the employee’s performance on general job-related objectives.  The supervisor is also encouraged to include an overall comment.

At this time the supervisor may make a decision regarding the staff member’s continued employment with the University.  The form will include a due date 7 days prior to the sixth month of employment.  This is a reminder to ensure the form is complete by the sixth month of employment.  Failure to complete and submit the review by the sixth month of employment will result in automatic continued employment with an updated status of “regular” (non-probationary).

If the supervisor determines that additional time is required to assess the employee’s skills, abilities, interest and/or performance, the supervisor may request to extend the probationary period for an additional period not to exceed a total of twelve months of employment.  The request must be communicated to a Human Resources manager by the employee’s sixth month of employment (six month anniversary date).   An additional form will be launched to request approval for the extension beyond six months. The supervisor will receive an email with instructions to access the online form on the University’s site, connectU, within the “Performance & Engagement” tile. The additional requested time for the probationary review does not guarantee continued employment for the full requested amount of time.  The extension must be requested and granted through the Probationary Review form.

It is the supervisor’s responsibility to submit the probationary review in a timely manner.

The form is submitted online through connectU program.  After the supervisor submits the form, the employee may acknowledge the form and forwards the electronic form for the next signature, the supervisor’s manager (next level manager). Once received, a Human Resources representative will acknowledge receipt and the form will be completed.  A copy of the form is retained in each person’s “Completed” folder within the Performance module, accessed through the drop down menu

Policy

 

Related:

Progressive Discipline for Staff Members
Annual Staff Performance Review