Have any of you been let go from a job during probation period?

22 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 27,2023 at 2:26PM UTC

   It may be the right place, right job but wrong time, wrong manager.

   Did you express any of your onboarding concerns?

   Did you receive no feedback, markers, etc. during your probation period?

   This is something to bring up especially if this is a job you've done before and know you can do but are learning another company's and Manager's system.

   I myself have gone through this. Unfortunately, management all supported management even though my position had a high turnover rate. I had the receipts but my manager was a master manipulator and kissed all the right tushies so as the new person, they didn't know or trust me. It's hard but it's a learning process as well. It's something I have brought up and continue to bring up during interviews and when onboarding for a new job - I request a detailed onboarding process along with markers and document everything (even 1:1 meetings and recap all conversations).

2. AnonymousMay 27,2023 at 4:26PM UTC

   I was recently let go from a job 5 months into a 12 month probationary period. The job expectations were never reviewed with me and my supervisor never gave written warning. I did make some mistakes, but was told, "this is why we have a 12 month probationary period, there is a lot to learn." I feel that I was set up for failure as I was not provided adequate training. When I communicated this to my supervisor, she directed me to complete a project with an unrealistic timeline for completion. Although I completed the project, she fired me the next week without explanation (or empathy for that matter). It is frustrating, but at the same time I was not happy working under her and there was another team member that was completely unhinged. I tell myself I dodged a bullet and that it wasn't a good fit for me. I get over it by moving forward and applying for other positions that excite me. When I interview I ask the company about their onboarding/training, and state that I'm seeking open/transparent two-way communication with my supervisor.

3. AnonymousMay 28,2023 at 2:34PM UTC

   So perfectly well said and in line with my thoughts that management has people in it ill-equipped to do their own jobs adequately so someone takes the fall for them.

4. AnonymousMay 28,2023 at 1:00PM UTC

   Please do not beat yourself up about it. What I finally realized is that as long as you work for a corporation they can let you go for any reason. The good thing is that you are accountable regarding your mistakes and you can learn from them. Find your dream job and do your best....but keep in mind that even your best may not keep you safe from being let go. So don't get emotionally invested in any company and keep in mind that you will always be ok.

5. AnonymousMay 28,2023 at 2:31PM UTC

   This one isn’t on you - probation should be to learn and be mentored to be the best you can be. This falls on people put in managerial positions that they are just not good at. Trust me you dodged a bullet and take it in stride as a “not a good fit” and you’ll shine in your next role.

6. rgstaffing@bellsouth.netMay 28,2023 at 2:43PM UTC

   Getting fired is traumatic for everyone involved. I have had more new candidates who i have placed leave their jobs within the probabion period in the last 6 months than I have had happen in 10 years. On the candidate side, the reason for the termination has been excessive absenteeism during that period, tardiness, a lack of integrating with the team and extreme addiction to their phones. Meaning thety are unable to function without their phone on their new desk so that they can constantly engage with it. On the company side, there is a lack of training and effort to go over the handbook so that the new employee understands what is acceptable or not acceptable.

   Going forward, look for a job that showcases your abilities and work like heck to at least get past the probationary period. Do not associate yourself with complainers and whiners but with winners who are successful in their jobs who can mentor you.

7. Megan JohnstonMay 28,2023 at 2:49PM UTC

   Most terminations during probation are a fit problem not a performance problem. If a fit problem does exist, you didn't want to stay there long-term as chances are this would have been miserable. Frame this from that perspective and think about whether you noticed issues with fit. This helps you think about organizations where you will fit better and then you know what to look for in a new opportunity. When you bring your authentic self to work, sometimes the fit may not be right and that is ok! View this as a door opening for a better fit, not a door closing.

8. rgstaffing@bellsouth.netMay 28,2023 at 6:03PM UTC

   This is absolutely true. I 100% agree and that is why there is a guarantee/probationary period.

9. AnonymousMay 30,2023 at 12:51PM UTC

   Are you with a staffing agency/HR?

10. rgstaffing@bellsouth.netMay 30,2023 at 6:53PM UTC

    yes--i own a staffing company and have for the last 20 years. Prior to that, I was with a fortune 500 staffing company for close to 20 years. I specialize in medical offfice placement but am well versed in all areas.

11. AnonymousMay 28,2023 at 3:29PM UTC

    I was once let go on the final day of my probation period. I was shocked they kept me the entire 90 days, but I’m also glad they let me go because I was miserable.

12. AnonymousMay 28,2023 at 3:54PM UTC

    Yes, it happened to me. On day 1 of the new job & company along with career pivot, I saw a red flag of the company’s revolving door culture of employee tenures under 1 year. Most of the employees were either still on probation or under a year with the company.

    I saw the writing on the wall about my future with the company on day 30. I was nearly fired in a meeting with my boss (the President & CEO of a small family business) about all the “red flags” they saw of me in the past 30 days. While I ended up having the conversation documented in my HR file instead of getting fired, I was called into a surprise meeting the next week, where I was berated for poor performance. This meeting shook me to the core.

    After reviewing my situation with people I trusted, I took their advice to start looking for a new job. This job and company culture was a bad fit.A month later, I accepted a new job offer then gave notice to my boss. I was fired the next day, a week shy of my 90 day probation. This was an unnerving experience which shattered my confidence and sense of self. The silver lining was that being fired before end of probation gave a head start to the new role, where I am thriving.Moral of the story: take care of yourself, especially mentally and emotionally. Keep looking as soon as you see the first red flag of the new job and company. You don’t owe anyone the first 90 days especially after this series of events.

13. E CMay 28,2023 at 5:33PM UTC

    I was once in a position where my supervisor told me she wanted to let me go after 90 days but didn't. In hindsight, we both would have been better off if she had. It wasn't a good fit on either side. I had the skills but needed mentoring to make them work for the organization. My supervisor wanted a "plug and play" version of an employee who could make major improvements to outcomes with no assistance from her. I'm not a bit surprised that I was the second of three people to take and then exit that role in five years. I know how hard, humiliating, and scary it is to be fired. I'm not going to tell you "it's all for the best" when I know it doesn't feel that way right now. I am going to tell you that a lot of people have been where you are, and there are resources and support for you. And there is a job out there that's the right fit for you. Wishing you an easy path to find it.

14. AnonymousMay 29,2023 at 3:39PM UTC

    Thanks everyone for your comments. I'm really trying to learn from the experience and take care of myself. The funny thing is there were many events that came up that I was able to attend. The employer discouraged taking time off during the probation. Also, my mom is having health issues, so I'm looking at flying out to see her. She decided to not resume chemo while I was still employed. I'm trying not to dwell on what I could have done differently. It just seemed fishy that I was terminated after seven weeks.

15. rgstaffing@bellsouth.netMay 29,2023 at 6:11PM UTC

    I certainly want to wish your mother a full recovery from the health issues that she is experiencing. As I have said before, it is especially important during the probationary period that you are in attendance every day. This is a big reason why people are terminated in any period. Life events come up and if this is the case, possibly temping will suit your needs better. More than likely your termination was the result of different factors-- i would recommend that you evaluate those circumstances if there are any, learn from them and move on. It maybe was not the right time...

16. AnonymousMay 29,2023 at 6:58PM UTC

    What I meant was my termination might have been a blessing in disguise because I was now able to attend certain events.

17. AnonymousMay 29,2023 at 6:07PM UTC

    I feel like that was the problem that I had when I was fired from my latest job. I worked at a university and my supervisor was a new department chair. They often complained to me that the felt overwhelmed with supervising me and one other staff person and also having to steer the department, and do their teaching and research. I was at sea, the other staff person was supposed to be training me but she was busy as well. I was lucky that most of my training was done by others in the university. Complains from the department also included that it too me too long to complete my training (it was Fall term, and it was hard to schedule people to train me around the holidays and their busy schedules), that it took more than one time for me to learn a process and that nothing was getting done fast enough (in their estimation) and I was a poor communicator. Frankly, it is stupid to lever all of this on me. I left a boring but stable job with a different department and really regret it now. They had one staff person for over twenty years, and weren't ready to have someone new step in and shake things up. I'm still pretty pissed off that I'm currently not making any money at all right now, but my partner and I do have some funds saved up so I can try to find something better. Here's hoping that will be soon.

18. AnonymousMay 29,2023 at 6:57PM UTC

    I think you should reflect on what you did in the situation to cause this. If you do feel like there was some part of your managers role that led to it then reach out to learn from it. They may be willing to share what led them to the decision to let you go. If not then think about how you can shift for next time to learn new things or to onboard. Most companies don't spend a lot of money on these things and expect you to come in fully loaded. Asking in the interview process about 30-60-90 day expectations and also training and such will be helpful to you. don't beat yourself up too much these things do happen. Ultimately, it was just not the right fit.

19. AnonymousMay 30,2023 at 12:50PM UTC

    I just really hope I get approved for unemployment. It's been three weeks since my termination. I live in NC, so maybe they're behind on approving claims.

20. E CMay 31,2023 at 1:13PM UTC

    Many state governments are understaffed because their pay doesn't compete well with the private sector. You could very well be right, but after three weeks, it's ok to follow up. Wishing you the best.

21. AnonymousMay 31,2023 at 6:34PM UTC

    Yeah I followed up and received an automated message stating it was still awaiting approval. I just feel so down.

22. AnonymousJune 5,2023 at 1:59PM UTC

    Thank you everyone for your input! My unemployment claim was approved.