GuysI got an offer from ACN recently (services, exp. hire). I am flattered, but...it includes a probationary period of 6 (!!!) months, during which I may be fired at 1 week notice. I am not too impressed, expecially consireding that I have my nice stable confortable job... Is the probationary period a standard clause for offers?

Yes - it is standard. Don't know of anyone who has been fired in the probationary period though, so I wouldn't worry too much if I were you.

Yup, that's pretty normal..

So what happens if a senior manager joins? Are they required to go through the same probationary period?

Firstly, in ACN - Services is not Consulting - it is more like outsourcing. For the Consulting division there is no probationary period.

Why isn't there a probationary period in consulting?

Yes, the 6 month probationary period seems to be standard. I just got offered a job by Atos Origin and in the contract it also says 6 months probation period. Seems to be standard among the large IT consulting firms.

Well, I do not know about ACN, but be careful if you are joining in Atos on Probation, I have been fired at the time of my first mid probation review saying that they could not place me on any project till then.

As far as I know, a probationary period fo between 3 and 6 months is standard for most of these firms. "Local variations may apply" ;) Anyway, it's no big deal.Anyway, probationary periods are often formalities and they also should work both ways - i.e. you can leave in the probationary period as well with minimum notice if things are not suiting you.One thing to watch out for, however, is that the probation period may not be counted for bonus applicability. What I mean is that you may have worked with your firm for the first year, but they might pro-rate your bonus calculation to 6 months (12 - 6 months of probabtion is 6 months of employment).Probably worth checking this out.

Guys, all this talk of probationary periods is a red herring.If they want rid of you in the first 12 months, then they can just do it - no reason needs to be given. And outside of that time? Well a month's notice period is hardly an eternity, is it? Nobody's job is secure these days, least of all in this industry.

Not correct. The 6 month probation is standard for service and consulting.

I agree 6 months is the standard, pretty much industry wide. Nevertheless, the point stands that the 6 months is only a minor legal milestone for security of tenure. Once the probationary period has passed, you are 'permanent' in the sense that you have to do something negative, rather than fail to do something positive, in order to be ousted. In other words, your employer can no longer excersise their right to give one month's notice on a mere whim.In practice, an employer who has such a whim will incentivise you to sign away your rights under UK employment law. i.e. such rights are 'compromisable' (a type of agreement which binds the parties to denying that agreement's very existence).So no real inalienable rights, and no real security of tenure.

erm - original post was in May last year. I think his 6 months are up now.....

The probation period is pretty much irrelevant. You need to be in employment in the same place for 12 months before you can sue for unfair dismissal - so it's the 12 months that really matters. After that the employer can face some hassle if they want to get rid of you, so they will normally be more pliable.

atos victim - if you were fired - was it diff to find work afterward?