Hi

I am providing assistance to someone recently dismissed from employment during their probationary period and would like some guidance. Employment rights are very murky in probationary periods.

The person was on a full time permanent contract with a 6-month probationary period. They where due to have a 3 month interim probationary meeting. The day of the meeting they where informed it was cancelled and would be held the following week.

On the secluded meeting day they where then informed they would be dismissed with one months pay. The reason stated was that their had been several complaints about there working practices made by other staff. When requested the employer was unwilling to give details of these complaints or to allow the probationary meeting to go ahead.

The employee was further informed that the organisation was reviewing the post and that was why they where being dismissed.

The employee was asked to hand in their keys and company property and to leave.

Any advice on the correct procedure for dismissal during probationary period would be gratefully received.

The individual was not dismissed for gross miss conduct any no allegations of such have been made. It appears that any complaints where made about working practices and changes to systems.

Look forward to any replies

David

David Cain