Earlier in 2023, Fórsa took a claim to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to seek to have the probation period for civil servants reduced from 12 months to 6 months. 

This was on foot of the transposition of the EU Directive on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions into Irish Law in December, which saw probationary periods fall to 6 months for private sector workers, without any similar reduction for civil service workers.

Fórsa has now sought an expansion of the claim to also cover reduced probationary periods for civil service workers who are in ‘acting up’ positions immediately prior to promotion.

“They are already doing the job,” explained Fórsa Assistant General Secretary Seán Carabini.

“There should be no need to re-probate them and put them through another full year. Time spent successfully performing at a higher grade should be discounted against their probationary period.”

In relation to the overall claim, he noted:

“Time spent on probation is the most precarious time in a person’s career. They have fewer employment rights. The EU Directive sought to address this, but unfortunately the manner in which it was transposed allows public sector jobs to still have a probationary period of 12 months. This needs to change.”

Further talks are expected in November on this matter.

Are you in your first year in the civil service? Fórsa is hosting a seminar entitled ‘How to Survive Your First Year in the Civil Service’ on November 17th for new members.

Full details and registration can be found here. Not a member yet but wish to attend? Sign up here.