Support Staff Policies & Procedures

Support Staff Policy & Procedure for Probationary & Trial Periods

Last update: 1/6/2015

Policy

Applies to: University support staff

General:

Probationary period:

APA, APSA, Nurses and POAM: These employees shall serve a one-year probationary period commencing at the time of hire as a new employee with the University or entry into the bargaining unit from other University employment.

CTU: Full-time employees shall serve a probationary period of 1040 hours of actual work commencing at the time of hire as a new employee with the University or entry into the bargaining unit from other University employment. Three-quarter time employees shall serve a probationary period of 780 hours of actual work, and half-time employees 520 hours of actual work.

1585, 324, SSTU: Employees shall serve a probationary period of 1040 hours of actual work upon entry into the bargaining unit (VARIES: 1585 and 324 part-time employees serve a probationary period of 520 hours of actual work upon entry into the bargaining unit).

Off-campus (MSU Extension): One year.

Trial periods:

APA: The trial period is the first six months in a new position within the same employee group.

APSA and Nurses: The trial period is the first six months in a new classification within the same employee group.

POAM: One year when accepting a different position within the bargaining unit.

CTU: The first 256 actual hours worked.

Trial period clarification for a CTU employee: An employee reassigned within a department to another position at the same grade level and classification does not undergo a trial period. An employee entering a position that has been posted, even though it's in the same department and is at the same grade level and classification, does need to complete a trial period consisting of 256 working hours. A CTU employee bypassed due to a reduction in hours serves a 256-hour trial period in the new position. Prior to the expiration of 256 hours, the employer may terminate the trial period.

All others: The first 520 actual hours worked.

NOTE: Specific Collective Bargaining Agreements should be consulted for details regarding probationary and trial periods (see Policy and Procedure for filling vacant positions - regular).

PROCEDURE

General: 
Supervisor:

*Prior to notifying an employee of an unsuccessful probationary period, the supervisor must contact MSU Human Resources Employee Relations (telephone 517-353-5510, e-mail) at least two (2) calendar weeks prior to the end of the probation/trial period.  Extension requests received outside the two (2) week deadline will not be processed and the employee's probation/trial period will be not extended.  

Probationary periods:
MSU Human Resources Employee Records: A Probationary/Interim Evaluation form is used only for CTU and off-campus employees who are within their applicable probationary period. The Probationary Evaluation Form is available on the HR website for completion by the supervisor. The Probationary/Interim Evaluation Form is used only for APA and APSA employees who are within their 12 month probationary period. This form is alao available on the HR website for completion by the supervisor.

Successful completion: 
Supervisor: Discusses and completes probationary evaluation form with the employee before expiration of probationary period.

Department: Supervisor and departmental administrator retain one copy and give another copy of completed form to employee and return original to MSU Human Resources Employee Records for inclusion in official personnel folder.

Unsuccessful completion: 
Supervisor:

Final paycheck:

MSU Human Resources Employee Records: Upon receipt of Termination form, makes necessary arrangements with Payroll Office for final paycheck or issues an authorization slip to supervisor for paycheck.

Supervisor:

NOTE: See Policy and Procedure for resignation - voluntary termination.

Trial periods:

Successful completion: No action required.

Unsuccessful completion (supervisor/employee):

Refer questions to:MSU Human Resources Employee Relations (telephone 517-353-5510, e-mail).

Revision history:

1/6/2015 - Changed probation/trial period extensions so that they must be processed at least 2 weeks prior to the probation/trial end date.

8/31/2018 - Updated union names; MSU Extension probationary period changed to one year.

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