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State Universities Civil Service System

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Title 6.1 Probationary Period
Manual B. Employment and Separation Procedures
Subsection 6. Service and Seniority
Status Revised 5/16/2012

The probationary period is considered the final element in the pre-employment examination process. The probationary period is therefore a time for the employer to observe and assess the skills and progress of an employee.  The probationary period need not mean actual hours of work on the job.  It is computed on the basis of calendar time and begins on the date of assignment to the duties of the civil service position and expires at the close of business on the last working day of the defined probationary timeframe.  The probationary period may be extended by a comparable amount of time for the following reasons:

  1. a paid or unpaid leave of absence that exceeds more than five consecutive work days;
  2. a layoff of any duration;
  3. a suspension of any duration; or
  4. a designated off-site training period, provided the Executive Director has approved the off-site training for such an extension.

Employers may send probationary employees to off-site training session as determined by the employer.  However, the probationary period may only be extended for those off-site training programs that have been approved by the Executive Director as a training that justifies extending the probationary period.  In order to gain approval for an off-site training which will lead to the extension of the probationary period, employers must submit a completed request to the Executive Director.  Please use Form 6.1a when making such a request.  The Executive Director's approval or denial only applies to the extension of the probationary period.  It is not intended to justify or evaluate whether the employer may require the training. 

The probationary period is not affected by the percentage time which the employee works.  That is, the probationary period of a three-quarters time or half-time employee is completed in the same length of calendar time as is the probationary period of a full-time employee.

Employees appointed, after certification, on the basis of score, from Original Entry register or Promotional register, are on probation for the time determined for the class (six or twelve months).  Employees appointed, after certification, on the basis of service, from an Original Entry register or Promotional register, are on probation for the balance of time necessary to complete the defined probationary period for that class.

NOTE:  Upon accepting a Status Appointment, former Provisional and Intern employees begin a probationary period.

Employees who have completed their Apprentices program are not required to take an examination nor serve a probationary period.

The right to complete a probationary period is not present if employment is interrupted by a resignation or a dismissal.

An employee who has completed a probationary period in a class shall be eligible to transfer in the same class to another place of employment.  Such transferred employee is not required to serve another probationary period in that class for the new employer.  See Chapter on Other Employment Transactions.

An employee who has completed a probationary period and who resigns or is separated in good standing may, within one year, request restoral to the Original Entry register in accordance with section 250.60(j) of the Illinois Administrative Code (Code) (80 Ill. Adm. Code §250.60(j)).  An employee, if subsequently employed in the same class, or in a lower class in the promotional line, if acceptable to the employer, is not required to serve an additional probationary period.

An employee who is in a position which is reclassified or reallocated shall be required to serve a probationary period in the new class, unless such reclassification or reallocation is the result of an approved Change-in-Title.

An employee who has completed a probationary period in a class who is transferred in accordance with section 250.100(c)(1) of the Code (80 Ill. Adm. Code §250.100(c)(1) from one place of employment to a position of the same class in another place of employment within the same institution or agency is not required to serve an additional probationary period in the new place of employment.

An employee who has not completed a probationary period in a class and is transferred, upon request, to another place of employment within the University System in accordance with section 250.100(c)(3) of the Code (80 Ill. Adm. Code §250.100(c)(3)) must serve a full probationary period at the new place of employment.  See Chapter on Other Employment Transactions.

An employee granted a leave for military service prior to the completion of a probationary period, shall be required to satisfactorily complete the remainder of the probationary period upon return.

An employee who has failed to demonstrate the ability and qualifications necessary to furnish satisfactory service may be dismissed at any time during the probationary period.

Candidates employed from a Reemployment register do NOT serve a new probationary period.

A Provisional employee shall begin a probationary period upon passing the exam and accepting a Status Appointment.


(Reference 80 Ill. Adm. Code §250.90)