Starting anew jobcan be exciting and scary, especially during the first few months. Many times, there will be a probationary period. Your new bosses are assessing you see if you’ll be a good fit. Your every move is being watched. As a newbie, you’re learning the ropes, getting used to a newworkenvironment, and trying to put your best foot forward—hoping to cement your position at the end of the trial. Or so one would think…

But one guy recentlysharedhow he helped his girlfriend land a job at his company after she lost her previous one. Instead of shining, the guy says his girlfriend was “a horrible employee.” She was constantly late and took extended lunch breaks all the time. When her tardiness and lack of professionalism threatened to drag him down with her, the guy put his foot down. He left her stranded at a restaurant during yet another long lunch. Now she’s blaming him for losing her job. And he’s wondering if he was wrong.

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This guy’s GF took extended work lunch breaks, even though she’d just started her job

Woman with long hair eating a burger, illustrating being late to a job.

Image credits:Ahmet Kurt / unsplash (not the actual photo)

When her disrespect for time threatened to affect his own career, her BF took drastic action

Text discussing a man helping his girlfriend get a job and issues with her probationary period.

Text discussing a woman being introduced to a job opportunity by her partner, blaming him for her not passing probation.

Man checking phone, wearing a plaid shirt, related to getting girlfriend a job.

Image credits:Sehajpal Singh / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text about a job offer and probationary period involving punctuality issues.

Woman crossing the street, highlighting fashion and lifestyle, related to job probation and punctuality issues.

Image credits:Brooke Cagle / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Woman holding Coke bottles in a store aisle, showcasing job challenges highlighted by her lateness.

Image credits:Ömer Haktan Bulut / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Woman frustrated during conversation on a sofa, discussing a job probation issue.

Image credits:Blake Cheek / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Image credits:Awkward_Reaction_571

According to HR experts, less than 1 in 5 people don’t successfully make it through their probationary period

Many companies have probationary periods in place to give new employees time to get used to their new role, brush up on necessary skills, identify areas for improvement, and to see whether they’re compatible with theircolleagues,managers, and their workplace in general.

It’s essentially a trial period and is often three months long, depending on the role, the company, and the industry.It’s a two-way street and managers get a chance to assess the employee’s performance before extending their contract or offering them a full-time or fixed-contract position.

According to the U.K.-based recruitment consultancy firm Office Angels, just under one in five new employees don’t successfully pass their probationary period. And it’s often not because of a lack of competence.

The firm says that the main reasons new employees fail to make the cut are an unwillingness to accept feedback, a lack of motivation, not having the right temperament for the job, and poor interpersonal skills.

Offices Angels notes that it’s always important to be professional at work, especially while on probation. The experts advise those on probation to have the right attitude because “your new employer will also be looking out for that winning personality and can-do attitude you showed them at the interview stage.”

Be on time, they advise. Don’t leave early or slack off. Do more, not less. “Being willing to put in the odd extra hour, especially when it’s to help your colleagues, will create a great impression with your employer, and your team will appreciate the effort,” notes the HR site.

Do not be like Cindy and stay glued to your mobile device, they warn. “Keep your personal devices under wraps at work. When you’re at work, focus on the tasks at hand, and only use your personal mobile devices when you’re on a break or finished for the day.”

And finally, never take anything for granted. “You might feel confident that you’re doing a great job, but always stay on your toes during your probation to make sure you’re still giving 100%.”

Sometimes, your probationary period might be extended. But you shouldn’t panic. The company might need more time to assess your suitability and competence. Work on any areas that need improvement, and you should be fine. But in the event your contract is terminated, Office Angels suggests you use this as an opportunity to learn and do better the next time around.

“The process of terminating an employee during probation can be a sensitive issue,”cautionthe experts at the human resources platform Bright HR. “It requires patience, care, and precision. You must navigate this process carefully, ensuring you follow fair and lawful dismissal procedures and respect the employee’s rights.”

The company adds that any dismissal of an employee should be based on their performance or behavior, not on discriminatory grounds.

“Any deviation from these fair and lawful procedures can lead to claims of wrongful dismissal, and unlawful discrimination and tarnish your reputation,” warns Brights.

Two women at a table, one using a laptop; highlights probation and punctuality in a work setting.

Image credits:Toa Heftiba / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Reddit comments discussing a man getting his girlfriend a job; she missed probation due to tardiness.

“You are getting played”: many took the guy’s side and advised him to rethink his relationship

Comment discussing blame for a woman not passing probation due to lateness despite help from her boyfriend.

Comment screenshot discussing GF not passing probation due to lateness.

Reddit comment criticizing someone for getting blamed after helping girlfriend get a job; she was always late and failed probation.

Reddit comment about a girlfriend being late and not passing probation, with user reactions.

Comment discussing responsibility in a job situation, mentioning Cindy’s lateness.

Reddit comment discussing blame after girlfriend didn’t pass probation due to tardiness.

Forum comment discussing a girlfriend not passing probation due to lateness.

Comment discussing blame over a girlfriend not passing probation due to lateness.

Comment discussing a relationship ending due to unreliability and entitlement impacting job probation.

Reddit comment on job probation, discussing blame after lateness issues at work.

Reddit comment discussing blame involved in job probation situation, mentioning effort and responsibility.

Reddit comment discussing a woman not passing probation due to lateness.

Comment discussing relationship issues after girlfriend didn’t pass probation due to tardiness.

Comment about the main issue of a girlfriend’s job and probation, mentioning behavior and reputation impact.

Text exchange discussing a man blamed for girlfriend not passing probation due to lateness.

Some netizens had mixed reactions to how the guy handled the situation

Comment thread discussing blame for failing probation due to lateness.

Comment discussing blame for not passing probation due to lateness, mentioning drama in a relationship.

Comment discussing blame about a girlfriend’s job probation and being late.

Reddit comment discussing a manipulative person and relationships.

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