-3

Apparently it's a thing to do, when your probation period is over, so would one go about that? A big dinner? Sweets? Drinks?

And also imporant: Who's to be invited for that? The whole company? Your direct colleagues? Your hiring manager and above?

Improve this question
1
  • 5
    It sounds like the kind of probation period you're describing is a bit different to what I've experienced. I've never known a probation period be discussed with colleagues etc or anything like that. You're expected to get through it so I've never even noticed myself when it is complete, it's just a contractual thing.
    – Fiona - myaccessible.website
    Feb 21, 2014 at 14:24

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
2

As someone quickly approaching the end of their 6 month prob period, I would say cakes/sweets/treats for the office. If it is a huge office, then for your team and maybe people you've worked with closely/directly during your time there.

Anything bigger than that makes it more of a deal than it is. You expected to survive your prob period (presumably!), they expected you to survive it, so it was expected

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    Very good point. I'm the first one here to really finish their prob (because we're tiny), so I actually shouldn't make too big a deal of it, so others don't feel the need to do the same when they're through.
    – CMW
    Feb 21, 2014 at 10:44
  • Good point about setting expectations for others. Could cause more harm than good. Enjoy whatever it is you finally decide to do/buy!
    – Mike
    Feb 21, 2014 at 10:45
9

As an experienced professional in IT with many years of experience and who has worked at a number of companies small and large, I have never seen a celebration of any sorts for passing a probation. I think most professionals expect to pass a probation and think of it as merely an employer formality. The fact that someone might openly celebrate this would signal to management that this person wasn't expecting to get it and it might be more telling of their work ethic and self-worth than they had previously realized.

If you want to go out to dinner with a friend or family to celebrate quietly that's fine, but I wouldn't bring this up at work at all.

Improve this answer
1
  • 2
    This echo's my experiences in the UK. It's purely contractual and I've never know about anybody elses probation period. That said, there's no harm in celebrating a 3 or 6 month milestone with some cakes IF it fits with the culture of the office.
    – Dan
    Feb 21, 2014 at 21:16
1

I just passed mine and I work for a team of 6, we all went out for a quiet meal after work, we did how ever let everyone know and if they wanted to join us they could. Primarily was interested in my team, few other people who work there turned up who I would consider friends. I also gave a box of biscuits to my team.

My colleague who passed hers two weeks before me, didn't really do much with us, other than coming in with a hang over the next day..

Improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .