What is a fair amount of time to give someone in an entry level job before deciding to fire them?

Question

What is a fair amount of time to give someone in an entry level job before deciding to fire them?

Answer 1

You can fire the new hire whenever you want. There is no law stipulating that you have to keep them on staff for a certain period of time before dismissing them.

I don't know how long this person has been on staff so far so my suggestion is to give them a performance evaluation this week then allow this person at least one month to improve. Have another evaluation. If their performance is still not satisfactory, fire them.

Answer 2

Most states have what is call an "at will" employment policy or law.....they can fire at anytime.  There is no such thing as a fair amount of time....you either do the job to their standards or you are looking for work again....pretty simple

Answer 3

the probationary period at my job is something like 60 shifts or 3 months... then you get evaluated and they make a decision...

Answer 4

I can't tell if you're the hirer or the hiree; the firer or the fired.  But I will address this from the employer's point of view, although it applies to both.

I would think that a month is a fair amount of time to determine whether or not an employee would work out, particularly in a smaller organization where an employee must wear many hats.

However, it may be preferable if the employer was to have stipulated,at the outset, that, regardless of the duration, this was a "probationary period."  A determinant, along with the accomplishment of assigned duties and responsibilities, is whether a potential hire is a good "fit" for both the organization and the individual. More often than not, "fit" is the deal breaker; moreover, it precludes the employer from having to resort to the much harsher action of a firing, and the parting becomes focused on business-needs rather than on personal terms (and the attendant drama that ensues from a "firing"). And frankly, sometimes it becomes evident to the new hire this just isn't where s/he wants to be.

The hiring practices of a company I work for include an automatic three-month probationary period, regardless of the position.  However, it is a larger organization (500-1,000 employees) and can probably withstand the longer test drive.

All in all, I would concur that one month is fair as a "probationary period" to assess whether a new hire can carry out responsibilities and is a good fit, particularly for entry-level.

  

Answer 5

I have had to ask myself the same question many times through the years.What I have generally found is that a new employee will do the most learning within the first 30 days on the job.This is not to say they will do the job as quick as people who have been there longer but if an employee fails to understand the job and fails to make progress in this amount of time then you should look at replacing them because an employee that is lazy,unwilling,or unable to learn can quickly bring down an entire department.

Answer 6

It is usually three months. Since it is entry level they are really a trainee so the three months is long enough for you to predict if that person is suited for said position.

Obviously you have already made up your mind to fire this person. Do you have legitimate reasons such as lateness, sloppy work, slow work, cannot meet deadlines? If the person is having problems with the work have you spoken to her/him in private? Have you offered to help or ask another employee to do so? Are you just letting that person sink? Was this person tested before being hired or was that not necessary?

Just remember we all had to start somewhere. I know I did a long time ago and I remember my first job. I also remember the people who helped me and I, in turn, did the same as I went further along in my career.

Answer 7

Well time is not the issue.

Some people obviously have the worng attitude for the job that have taken, where they will be deliberately lazy.

Other people won't be able to do the job, but that might be an issue of training.

I would say, 2 weeks to get a fair evaluation of their work performance and 2-3 months to get an evaluation of whether they are really suited to the job.