• Section 1 - Background and Purpose
• Section 2 - Scope
• Section 3 - Policy Statement
• Section 4 - Procedures
• Part A - Period of Probation
• Part B - Responsibilities of the Supervisor During Probation
• Part C - Responsibilities of the Staff Member During Probation
• Part D - Reviews During the Probation Period
• Part E - Outcome of Probation – Confirmation of Employment
• Part F - Outcome of Probation – Termination of Employment
• Section 5 - Definitions

Section 1 - Background and Purpose

(1) La Trobe University is committed to ensuring that assessment of staff employed on probation is fair and equitable.

(2) The purpose of this Policy and supporting procedures is to provide academic staff and supervisors with clear guidance of their obligations and the process to be followed during a staff member’s period of probation.

Section 2 - Scope

(3) This Policy and supporting procedures apply to continuing and fixed-term Academic staff on probation and supervisors of Academic staff on probation. They do not apply to casual staff, Professional staff or staff employed on a Senior Staff Performance Based Contract.

(4) Clause 19 of the La Trobe University Enterprise Agreement 2023 (the EA) also contains provisions relating to the management of Probation at the University.

Section 3 - Policy Statement

(5) The purpose of a probationary period is to ensure an appropriate match is made between the person, the job and the work environment. It serves as an opportunity for both La Trobe and the new staff member to confirm whether the staff member satisfies the goals and objectives of the position.

(6) Probation provides an opportunity to evaluate the staff member’s suitability in terms of:

1. Job fit – are the performance standards and expectations of the role being met?
2. Behaviour – is behaviour appropriate and aligned to La Trobe’s policy and procedures?
3. Cultural fit – readiness to adapt to the attitudes, beliefs and values within the Team and La Trobe

(7) It is not necessary during the probation period to use disciplinary procedures to address performance or conduct concerns. It is important, however, that appropriate probationary procedures are followed to ensure a fair and equitable process.

(8) All new Academic staff appointed to a continuing or fixed-term position will normally be required to serve a period of probation.

Section 4 - Procedures

Part A - Period of Probation

(9) Academic staff appointed to a continuing position with the University are required to complete a three (3) year probation period, unless otherwise specified in their contract of employment.

(10) Academic staff appointed to a fixed-term position of five (5) years or more with the University are required to complete a three (3) year probation period, unless otherwise specified in their contract of employment.

(11) Academic staff appointed to a fixed-term position of greater than two (2) years with the University are required to complete a twelve (12) month probation period, unless otherwise specified in their contract of employment.

(12) Academic staff appointed to a fixed-term position of two (2) years or less with the University are required to complete a six (6) month probation period, unless otherwise specified in their contract of employment.

(13) Probation will not usually apply to a second or subsequent fixed-term contract unless the duties of the new position are fundamentally different from the previous fixed-term appointment. Where a supervisor is considering requiring a second period of probation, the supervisor should contact HR Assist for advice before proceeding with that decision.

(14) The period of probation may be shortened to a minimum of one year or waived on the recommendation of the Dean/Director and with the approval of the Provost/Deputy Vice-Chancellor. In determining this, consideration will normally take into account service at the University or at other universities, the level at which the appointment is being made and the staff member’s demonstrated experience.

(15) In exceptional circumstances an Academic staff member’s probationary period may be extended. Examples of this may include (but not be limited to) prolonged absences due to illness or another form of leave or transfer to other duties for a substantial portion of the probation period. Where a supervisor considers that an extension may be required, the supervisor is required to contact their HR Business Partner for advice. Any extension must be approved by the Executive Director, Human Resources (or nominee) and communicated to the Academic staff member in writing prior to the expiry of the original probation period.

Part B - Responsibilities of the Supervisor During Probation

(16) The supervisor is responsible for:

1. organising a meeting within the first two weeks of the staff member’s commencement in the role to discuss the position description, duties and responsibilities, and to ensure that clear probation goals (performance and behavioural) are set and documented in the staff member’s Probation Plan in Career Success;
2. scheduling and conducting formal probationary review meetings throughout the probation period;
3. facilitating and encouraging ongoing and regular discussions with the staff member regarding their performance, including:
   1. monitoring the general progress of the staff member’s performance towards goals;
   2. assessing the staff member’s behaviours, attitudes, cultural fit and alignment to values;
   3. seeking the views of other relevant senior Academic staff members, including any mentor(s), about the progress and contribution made by the staff member in relation to the staff member’s probationary goals;
   4. providing feedback to the staff member;
   5. providing appropriate support, development, coaching and training to assist the staff member;
   6. maintaining a record of meetings, including documenting any agreements or outcomes; and
   7. in situations where they have concerns in relation to the staff member’s performance or behaviour, contacting their HR Business Partner for advice.

(17) During the probation period, the supervisor will determine whether the staff member has the right skills, knowledge and attributes to have their employment confirmed. This decision will be made in accordance with clauses 23 to 33 of this Policy and clause 19 of the CA.

Part C - Responsibilities of the Staff Member During Probation

(18) The staff member is responsible for:

1. working towards meeting the probationary goals set by their supervisor;
2. participating actively in all probation discussions with their supervisor;
3. undertaking any professional development required during the probationary period; and
4. providing feedback to their supervisor in relation to performance matters, including:
   1. seeking further clarification of expectations as required; and
   2. advising their supervisor or any concerns in relation to the achievement of their goals should this arise during the probationary period.

Part D - Reviews During the Probation Period

(19) Formal probation review meetings will occur at least annually throughout the probation period with the final probation review to be conducted around 3 months before the end of the probation period (for probation periods of three years). For probation periods of less than three years, the final probation review should be conducted no later than four weeks prior to the end of the probation period.

(20) At each probation review meeting:

1. the supervisor will assess the staff member’s progress towards achieving their probation goals and provide the staff member with feedback on their performance and behaviour;
2. the supervisor and staff member will discuss the staff member’s development needs; and
3. the staff member will have the opportunity to raise any areas of concern and discuss these with the supervisor.

(21) The supervisor will document the discussion and any agreed outcomes in the staff member’s Probation Plan in Career Success.

(22) Where a supervisor has any concerns in relation to the performance or behaviour of the staff member at any stage throughout the probationary period, the supervisor should immediately contact their HR Business Partner for further advice and support.

Part E - Outcome of Probation – Confirmation of Employment

(23) Where the supervisor considers the staff member has met their probation goals, at least four weeks prior to the expiry of the probationary period, the supervisor and staff member must complete the Probation Plan in Career Success and the supervisor must submit their recommendation for confirmation of employment to the Dean/Director (or where the Dean/Director is the supervisor, the Provost/Deputy Vice-Chancellor).

(24) If the Dean/Director (or Provost/Deputy Vice-Chancellor) approves the supervisor’s recommendation, the staff member will receive email confirmation of the successful completion of their probation period with the University at the end of the probation period.

Part F - Outcome of Probation – Termination of Employment

(25) An Academic staff member’s employment may be terminated by the University at any stage during the probation period for any reason, which may include (but not be limited to) unsatisfactory performance, behavioural concerns and misconduct.

(26) As per clause 20.4 of the EA, prior to making any decision to terminate a staff member’s employment in probation, the staff member shall be advised of, and given an opportunity to make a written response to any adverse comments/material about the staff member which the University intends to take into account in a decision to terminate the staff member’s employment upon or before the expiry of the probationary period.

(27) Where a supervisor has any concerns in relation to the performance or behaviour of the staff member at any stage throughout the probationary period, the supervisor should immediately contact their HR Business Partner for further advice and support.

(28) Where a supervisor is considering making a recommendation to terminate the staff member’s employment upon or before the expiry of the probationary period, the supervisor (following advice from their HR Business Partner), will:

1. advise the staff member that they are considering making a recommendation to the Provost/Deputy Vice-Chancellor (or where the Provost/Deputy Vice-Chancellor is the supervisor, the Vice-Chancellor) that the staff member’s employment be terminated upon or before the expiry of the probation period;
2. provide the staff member with adverse materials the supervisor intends to provide to the Provost/Deputy Vice-Chancellor/Vice-Chancellor;
3. provide the staff member with an opportunity to provide a written response to the adverse material to the supervisor within ten (10) working days; and
4. consider the response from the staff member before deciding whether to recommend terminating the staff member’s employment.

(29) Where a supervisor decides to recommend terminating the staff member’s employment upon or before the expiry of the probation period:

1. the supervisor will (following advice from their HR Business Partner) write to the Provost/Deputy Vice-Chancellor (or where the supervisor is the Provost/Deputy Vice-Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor) with their recommendation, and include a copy of the staff member’s response to the adverse materials (if any);
2. the Provost/Deputy Vice-Chancellor/Vice-Chancellor will consider the supervisor’s recommendation and the staff member’s response (if any) prior to determining whether to accept the recommendation; and
3. the Provost/Deputy Vice-Chancellor/Vice-Chancellor will inform the Executive Director, Human Resources or their decision.

(30) Prior to making the decision, the Provost/Deputy Vice-Chancellor/Vice-Chancellor may seek further clarification from the staff member or the supervisor on any information they provided.

(31) In making a decision to terminate a staff member’s employment during the probationary period, the Provost/Deputy Vice-Chancellor/Vice-Chancellor will have regard to whether the procedures set out in the probation policy were followed.

(32) Where the Provost/Deputy Vice-Chancellor/Vice-Chancellor has determined that the termination of employment during the probationary period is warranted, the Human Resources Division will provide the staff member with a letter confirming termination of their employment.

(33) Except in cases of serious misconduct, where a staff member’s employment is terminated at any stage during the probation period, the staff member will be provided with three months’ notice unless a greater period of notice is specified in their contract of employment. At the discretion of the Executive Director, Human Resources, a payment in lieu of this notice may be made to the staff member. In cases of serious misconduct, the staff member’s employment may be terminated without notice.

Section 5 - Definitions

(34) For the purpose of this Policy:

1. Misconduct: means conduct that is not serious misconduct but is nevertheless unsatisfactory.
2. Probation Period: is a period of time in which La Trobe places the staff member on ‘trial’ to assess if the staff member is suitable for the role and University. The Probation Period is outlined in the staff member’s contract of employment.
3. Serious Misconduct means:
   1. serious misbehaviour of a kind that constitutes a serious impediment to the staff, or the staff’s colleagues, carrying out their duties (including but not limited to breaches of the University’s Code of Conduct);
   2. serious dereliction of the duties required of the employee in their position;
   3. conviction by a court for an offence that constitutes a serious impediment of the kind referred to in the first dot point above;
   4. theft or fraud; and/or
   5. persistent misconduct or wilful and repeated incidents of misconduct.
4. Supervisor: means the direct line manager of the staff member as recorded in MyHR and as varied from time to time.