I need insights

I have another probation problem. Today, I just received my probation evaluation. I feel so disappointed with the result.

There are three points in the evaluation: absence, performance, and attitude. I excelled in the absence, so I won't discuss it any further. For the attitude, I admit that I have some flaws... 1) I often forget to call the upper management with Mr. or Mrs. (yes, it's my bad. I'll change it.) and 2) an incident with a pervert manager from other division. 3) I have bad anger management. I'm still working on it.

What make me so disappointed was the performance result. I'm lack of initiative contribution (the contribution outside my jobdesk and working time) which is true and I'm going to improve it. Later... they said that I'm quick, but the job outputs are poor. I admit my works are not perfect. Some are poor, but not all. Some are good and they satisfied with them. It's sad when they highlighted only the bad parts. Well, they mentioned one good work too. Just one from the dozens.

Moreover, they said that I need detailed briefing. To be honest, I don't see the bad part with it. I often see the undetailed briefs lead to incomplete and bad result. It wastes so much time... which I could spend on other projects.

In conclusion, they keep me because they need me, but not as permanent employee. They extended my probation period. If I could improve my work performance, they would promote me to the permanent staff. If not, they are going to cut me out.

It makes me feel so down and disappointed. I would understand it if they consider to promote me because of my attitude. But no... they emphasised it is because of my 'poor' performance. In my previous job and internship, I got the good scores. In fact, my colleagues surprised with the result when I talked to them about it. They said I am hardworker and there are a few co-workers worse than me.

On the other hand, I suspect them too. So, the company I'm working on has terrible management. The coworkers are nice, but not the HR nor BOD themselves. I suspect that the decision is because they don't want to raise my payment. I'm paid standard and with the promotion, I would be paid higher than standard (Actually, I don't really mind the payment as long as they pay me fairly). My suspicion is based on the fact that I'm not the only one in the company who suffer this fate. A few colleagues suffer uncertain status.

I don't know what to do or react. I don't plan to resign because I stayed 6 months in my past job. If I quit too soon, I'll damage my cv and portfolio further. Besides, I like my coworkers.

I'm sorry if it's too long. Maybe hugs or insights will help. Support or criticism. Opinions or whatever.

Before my review, I didn't expect to get perfect score. I didn't expect to be applauded. I know I have flaws in both attitude and works. But when they said my job performance is poor and that's the reason why they want to replace me, I felt so under-appreciated. Especially when I see my coworkers who've done poorer works than me but stay because they've been there for a few years.

Are they saying that you need detailed briefings as it relates to not taking initiative?

No. Those are two different things.

About the detailed briefings: so I worked as designer. I always ask about the dteails like size, purpose, nuance, dates, etc. They said they barely have times to brief me. They said it be best if I could figure it out by my own.

Initiative contributions are something like attending events, helping event preparations, and helping anything outside my job descriptions or the willingness to work outside the working time.

Those sound like things in your control to make adjustments to. It's not easy in a new position to know all the ins and outs of expectations. It's hopeful that they've extended your probation period.

I know it is never nice to get a critical review. However, I do agree with healing4me that, on a positive note, they are lettting you know where they want to see changes and by extending probation they are giving you time to work on it. I would try to follow the comments you have gotten, and if there is someone you can approach when you have a doubt while working on something, maybe you can try to do that as well.

Believe me, I worked for someone that was rarely happy with anything, but also never clear about what he wanted instead- even when we went to him and asked. That is much worse than constructive criticism.

I hope it works out for you!

apologize for writing this rant. I was too emontional when I made this thread. I'm so much clearer now. What made me pissed off last night is because the fact they want to cut me out despite there are more incompetent co-workers than me.

Thanks for the insights. I'll work on the breifing problem too. And yes rechu, I will follow their comments.

Well, it is true that there are often reasosns why companies keep people around even if they are not doing quality work or if their performance has declined.

In my country, if you pass your probationary period of three months, your contract turns into a indefinite work contract and you start to accumulate severance that the company has to pay if you are fired. So, I am sure paying out that money is a consideration for people that have been there a while, since it gets expensive. In my department, they have let several people go during probation who didn't seem to be catching on because the reality is that it is much easier administratively and financially.


And, of course, you have those people who are the boss' or owner's favorite who are perceived as doing no wrong. We had one of those in our department, but she resigned to take another job recently.


Unfortunately, I think it is just part of the working world. There's not really anything you can do, so try not to waste energy worrying about it. I'd just try to focus on doing your job.

Thank you for supporting me rechu . Yesterdsy, my colleagues helped me to figure it out too. I'm starting to work on my comments, especially the attitude (though it isn't the main issue for them) since it is easier for me to figure it and work on that.

I'm still having a trouble with briefing and other technical comments since I'm not accustomed with that. To prevent this, now I'm starting to give alternatives (design). I don't know will this work out, but I'll figure it out.

On the other hands, I also work on my cv and portfolio. I'll work on their comments, but I don't know whether they would take or cut me in the end. I don't want to be negative, but they may not feel I'm good enough. So, I think to apply another job near the extension period. Do you think it is a good idea for countermeasuring?

It is hurtful when you get a negative review. I once got one that said my work was unacceptable. I don't think it was entirely my fault, because they weren't clear about what they wanted from me, but it still hurts. I hope you can get over this hump and that things will get better for you.

It's not usually a bad idea to get your feelers out there in case you do need to cut and run. Or in case during this next probationary period it's not a fit. It's wise to know your options.

Some companies prefer to keep people in a probationary period because it works best for them. It is not a reflection on the individual's performance, but a way to skirt around laws that protect employee rights. If there is validity to their feedback, it's fine to try to improve... but asking you to design something and then getting upset when you ask for specs is fairly absurd on their part!

Thanks hvert. That's what I'm thinking about (the delayed probation). I admit I'm still suspecting them. They have cut the budget in every divisions except for marketing. They're also refusing to pay the overtime. In fact, there was one time when we were forced to come on the national holiday and were paid in normal rate.

But my thoughts could also because of my paranoia. If you remember, my probation in my previous company was delayed too (you also replied in that thread). So, it's possible if I'm exaggerating due to previous experience.

I decide to give it a try though. I dont know whether it is my mistakes or their manipulation, but I will fix and improve with their feedback. Besides, not all of their words are wrong, some are right too. I think this is my opportunity to improve myself before I jump to another company or career track.

But yeah, I will quit if my probation is extended again. Because honestly, I feel uncomfortable lately.... From the pervert manager, the less discipline senior coworkers, or maybe I'm just feel so tired with so many tasks.

And about briefing and specs... To be honest I am confused because there are two different opinions regarding this matter in this thread. But like I said before, I try my best to fix it.