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Employee & Labor Relations

A Resource for County of San Mateo Employees, Supervisors, and Managers

03. Probationary Periods

Probationary Periods
The probationary period is the final phase in the examination process. The purpose of the probationary...
A. Who serves a probationary period?
Employees who are appointed to a classified position undergo a probationary period. Employees who promote,...
B. How long are probationary periods?
An employee’s probationary period is made up of either 1040, 1560, 2080, or 3120 hours (equivalent...
C. What are your supervisory responsibilities during a probationary period?
You are responsible for communicating performance and conduct standards and expectations to the employee,...
D. Can a probationary period be extended?
Yes, a probationary period can be extended to a total maximum length of 2,080 hours (one year of full-time...
E. How does an employee become permanent?
The preferred way is for the supervisor to write a performance evaluation just prior to the end of the...
F. How are employees notified that they have failed to pass their probationary period?
An employee is notified via a letter from the department head or designee, stating he/she is being rejected...
G. Can an employee transferring to another department be required to complete a new probationary period?
Section 12 of Civil Service Commission Rule XI provides that employees may transfer from one position...
H. Can an employee grieve or appeal a probationary dismissal?
An employee cannot grieve a probationary rejection. An employee may appeal a probationary rejection to...
I. Can a probationary employee take vacation time?
The County Ordinance Code states: “No vacation will be permitted prior to the completion of 13 full...
Request for Transfer or Voluntary Demotion
  Available online at http://intranet.co.sanmateo.ca.us/hr/forms/ or from your department Payroll/Personnel...
Sample Acknowledgment and Acceptance Letter
– PLEASE PLACE ON YOUR DEPARTMENTAL LETTERHEAD – DATE: EMPLOYEE’S NAME HOME STREET ADDRESS CITY,...
Sample Request for Extension of Probationary Period #1
– PLEASE PLACE ON YOUR DEPARTMENTAL LETTERHEAD – DATE Donna Vaillancourt, Director Human...
Sample Request for Extension of Probationary Period #2
– PLEASE PLACE ON YOUR DEPARTMENTAL LETTERHEAD – DATE Donna Vaillancourt, Director Human...
Sample Resignation Form
– PLEASE PLACE ON YOUR DEPARTMENTAL LETTERHEAD – Resignation of Employment This will document...
Sample Termination Letter for Probationary Employee*
– PLEASE PLACE ON YOUR DEPARTMENTAL LETTERHEAD – DATE NAME CLASSIFICATION DEPARTMENT Dear...