SVG version of QUB Shield - White
SVG version of QUB Shield - White

People and Culture

  • Home
  • About People and Culture
    • Our Structure
    • People and Culture Strategy
    • Key Contacts
    • New Staff Welcome
  • Employees
    • HR Hub
    • Pay, Reward and Benefits
    • Learning and Development
    • Development and Career Progression
    • International Staff Support
    • Wellbeing at Queen's
    • Managing Stress at Work
    • Annual, Family and Other Leave
    • Sickness Absence
    • Employee Experience and Engagement
    • Green Impact
  • Managers
    • Performance Management Toolkit
    • Sickness Absence
    • Leave Toolkit
    • Induction Toolkit
    • Recruitment and Selection
    • Employee Assistance Programme Manager Support
    • Occupational Health Service
    • Workplace Conduct
    • Job Evaluation
    • Redeployment
    • Leaving Employment
  • Work at Queen's
    • Recruitment and Selection
    • International Staff Support
    • Women at QUB
    • Fellowships at Queen's
    • Pay, Rewards and Benefits
    • Learning and Development
  • HR HUB
  • A-Z
  • Diversity and Inclusion
    • Equality Legislation
    • Policies, Procedures and Guidance
    • Fair Employment Return Monitoring Data
    • Disability
    • Menopause
    • Fertility Treatment Leave
    • Celebrating Diversity
    • Faith, Religion and Belief
  • Annual, Family and Other Leave
    • Annual Leave
    • Work Life Balance Policies
    • Other Leave
    • Agile Working Toolkit
  • Legal Services and Employee Relations
  • Learning and Development
    • Researcher Development
    • Learning for All
    • Learning Resources LinkedIn Learning
    • Leadership and Management Development
    • Essential Learning
    • Administrative Skills
    • Career Development Hub
    • Coaching and Mentoring
    • Remote Working
  • News
  • Pay, Reward and Benefits
    • Reward and Recognition
    • Pay and Conditions
    • Financial Support
    • Parents and Caring
    • Discounts
    • Commuting
    • Pay & Reward Benefits
    • Financial & Other Benefits
  • Fellowships at Queen's
    • Illuminate: Vice-Chancellor's Fellowship Scheme
    • Fellowship Academy
    • Externally Funded Fellowships
  • People and Culture COVID Guidance
    • COVID-19: People and Culture FAQs
  • Home
  • About People and Culture
    • Our Structure
    • People and Culture Strategy
    • Key Contacts
    • New Staff Welcome
  • Employees
    • HR Hub
    • Pay, Reward and Benefits
    • Learning and Development
    • Development and Career Progression
    • International Staff Support
    • Wellbeing at Queen's
    • Managing Stress at Work
    • Annual, Family and Other Leave
    • Sickness Absence
    • Employee Experience and Engagement
    • Green Impact
  • Managers
    • Performance Management Toolkit
    • Sickness Absence
    • Leave Toolkit
    • Induction Toolkit
    • Recruitment and Selection
    • Employee Assistance Programme Manager Support
    • Occupational Health Service
    • Workplace Conduct
    • Job Evaluation
    • Redeployment
    • Leaving Employment
  • Work at Queen's
    • Recruitment and Selection
    • International Staff Support
    • Women at QUB
    • Fellowships at Queen's
    • Pay, Rewards and Benefits
    • Learning and Development
  • HR HUB
  • A-Z
  • Diversity and Inclusion
    • Equality Legislation
    • Policies, Procedures and Guidance
    • Fair Employment Return Monitoring Data
    • Disability
    • Menopause
    • Fertility Treatment Leave
    • Celebrating Diversity
    • Faith, Religion and Belief
  • Annual, Family and Other Leave
    • Annual Leave
    • Work Life Balance Policies
    • Other Leave
    • Agile Working Toolkit
  • Legal Services and Employee Relations
  • Learning and Development
    • Researcher Development
    • Learning for All
    • Learning Resources LinkedIn Learning
    • Leadership and Management Development
    • Essential Learning
    • Administrative Skills
    • Career Development Hub
    • Coaching and Mentoring
    • Remote Working
  • News
  • Pay, Reward and Benefits
    • Reward and Recognition
    • Pay and Conditions
    • Financial Support
    • Parents and Caring
    • Discounts
    • Commuting
    • Pay & Reward Benefits
    • Financial & Other Benefits
  • Fellowships at Queen's
    • Illuminate: Vice-Chancellor's Fellowship Scheme
    • Fellowship Academy
    • Externally Funded Fellowships
  • People and Culture COVID Guidance
    • COVID-19: People and Culture FAQs
  • Home
  • People and Culture
  • Managers
  • Performance Management Toolkit
  • Planning for Performance Probation
  • FAQs on Non-Academic Probation

FAQs on Non-Academic Probation

  • HOW LONG IS NON-ACADEMIC PROBATION?

    6 months

  • DO INTERNAL APPOINTMENTS RECEIVE A PROBATION PERIOD?

    No. This only applies to new appointments to the University or if an employee moves to an academic post.

  • WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN OBJECTIVE AND AN ACTIVITY/STANDARD/RESPONSIBILITY?

    Objectives are outcome focused. They should relate to the requirements of the post and the strategic objectives of the School/Directorate (Grade 6 and above). Activity / Standard / Responsibility relates to general tasks to be obtained relevant to the job role.

  • HOW DO I DEVELOP AN APPROPRIATE OBJECTIVE?

    By using the SMART acronym:

    S pecific

    M easurable

    A chievable

    R elevant

    T imebound

    More information on setting objectives:

    • How to set objectives (clickable to pdf doc supplied as per Invision)
    • Setting SMART objectives (clickable to pdf doc supplied as per Invision)
    • How to write a SMART objective
  • WHAT TOOLS ARE AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT THE PROBATIONER THROUGH THEIR PROBATION PERIOD?

    Local level induction program; central induction for e.g. researchers, clerical; central booked training; monthly review meetings with management. These should all be scheduled/diarised with the probationer within the first month.

  • WHAT HAPPENS IF NO OBJECTIVES ARE SET AND THE EMPLOYEE IS NOT PERFORMING?

    It is critical that objectives are set for new employees at the start of their probationary period and agreed with employee. Advice is available from HR on managing issues of under-performance.

  • WHAT IF A PROBATIONER IS NOT PERFORMING?

    The monthly review meetings, in addition to discussing areas of strength and achievement, feedback should also identify any deficiencies in performance and an adequate period of time given to improve. Where deficiencies are discussed, the probationer should be advised of these in writing and of the potential outcome. The line manager should ensure that the information is documented and shared with the probationer.

  • HOW LONG CAN A PROBATIONARY PERIOD BE EXTENDED FOR?

    Recommendation would be to extend for 3 – 6 months but no longer than 6 months in total. Please speak with the HRBP regarding specific cases for best practice guidance.

  • DO YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE 6 MONTH PROBATIONARY PERIOD TO RECOMMEND NON-CONFIRMATION IN POST?

    No. Whilst it is imperative an employee is given the opportunity to develop their skills and reach the standard required to be confirmed in post it is not mandatory the 6-month period is reached before non-confirmation is recommended. Please speak with the HRBP regarding specific cases for best practice guidance.

  • WHAT IF THE PROBATIONER DOES NOT ATTEND PROBATIONARY MEETING(S)?

    If, without good cause, the probationer does not attend the probationary meeting(s) to set / review objectives and / or sign the completed probationary form, the process will proceed in the probationer’s absence. It is imperative that line managers schedule and conduct all probationary / review meetings to identify any problems (for both parties). A failure to do so will elongate the process and exacerbate problems that could be easily resolved if discussed at the time.

In This Section
Planning for Performance Probation
  • Planning for Performance Probation
  • FAQs on Academic Probation
  • FAQs on Non-Academic Probation
  • University Road, Belfast
    Northern Ireland, BT7 1NN
  • +44 (0)28 9024 5133
  • Jobs
  • Semester dates
  • Contact us
  • Visit us
  • Schools / Departments
  • Undergraduate
  • Postgraduate
  • International students
  • Find a PhD
  • Find a course
  • Privacy and cookies
  • Website accessibility
  • Freedom of information
  • Modern slavery statement
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Queen's University Belfast is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC101788.
VAT registration number: GB 254 7995 11
EORI Numbers GB254799511000
XI254799511000
Return to top
Manage cookies
  • Study
    • Find a Course
    • Undergraduate
    • Postgraduate
    • International Students
    • Students from Great Britain
    • Fees & Finance
    • Scholarships & Funding
    • Open Learning
    • Accommodation
    • Life in Belfast
    • Open Days & Campus Tours
    • The Graduate School
    • Sport
    • Your Student Guide
  • Research
    • Our Research
    • Our People
    • Our Impact
    • Global Research Institutes
    • Find a Researcher
    • Governance, Ethics & Integrity
    • Support for Researchers
    • Research Opportunities
    • Research Events
    • Research Contacts
  • International
    • International Students
    • Applying to Queen's
    • English Language
    • Tuition Fees
    • International Scholarships
    • INTO Queen's
    • Exchange and Study Abroad
    • Find Your Country / Region
    • China
    • India
    • USA
    • Middle East and Africa
    • Accommodation
  • Business
    • Commercialisation
    • Partnering with Industry
    • Knowledge & Transfer Partnerships
    • IP & Innovation
    • Business Support
    • Business Engagement
    • Chief Executives' Club & Events
    • Queen's Management School
    • William J Clinton Leadership Institute
    • MBA (Master of Business Administration) programme
  • About
    • Rankings and Reputation
    • Campus & Facilities
    • Visit Us
    • Public Engagement
    • Social Charter
    • Events
    • Leadership & Structure
    • Corporate Plan
    • Faculties & Schools
    • Professional Services
    • Queen's on Brexit
    • Governance
    • News
    • Job Vacancies
    • University Department List

  • Helpful links
    • Jobs
    • News
    • What's on
    • Semester dates
    • Library
    • Giving
    • Ask a question
    • Staff Directory
    • 中文网
  • Staff
  • Students
  • Alumni