Overview

This article is for People First HR users only.

This article explains how to set a probation period for an employee when joining your organisation. 

People First assigns a probation period to a Job. When a new hire joins your organisation, probation should only be set for their first Job if they have multiple Jobs. Some joiners may not be subject to a probation period, for example, teachers and staff moving from one school within a MAT to another.

Prerequisites

• The new employee must have been added to the system and assigned to a Job before their probationary period can be set.

Instructions

Follow these steps to set an employee's probation period:

1. Locate and open the employee's profile that you want to add a probation period to. To find their profile, use the Search feature or the Org chart.
2. The employee's Profile opens on the Personal Employment tab. If the employee is assigned to more than one Job on joining, select View Job to open the details for their primary Job where you should add the probation period.

3. Scroll down to the Terms & Conditions card:

   

4. Select Add New.

5. Select Add probationary period:

   

6. From Probationary period details:

   

   1. Enter or select a date.
   2. Select Add New.

7. When prompted:

   

   1. Enter or select a Start Date for the probation period.

   2. Enter or select an End Date for the probation period.

      In the case of a Fixed Term Contract, the Probation Period End Date cannot be after the Contract End Date.

   3. Select New appointment as the Reason for the probation period.

   4. Optionally:

      1. Select Note and record the dates when reviews are due.
      2. Select Attachment and upload a copy of your probation procedure.

      If you do either of these, make sure Visible to employee is checked.

   5. Select Save.

Outcome

The probation period is added. A notification is displayed confirming this:

Select < to return.

The employees Terms and Conditions are updated accordingly:

A notification is also sent to the employee's reporting manager confirming the end date of probation as a reminder to set a probation review meetings. A notification will be sent one month before probation is due to end.

Related information

• People First: How do I extend an employee's probation period?
• People First: How do I record an employee's completion of their probation period?

Updated 05 February 2026 12:19