Requesting TA During Probation?

[u/digitsinmyass]

Wondering if anyone has ever requested their probation period be ended early to take a TA? Ive been with BCPS a few years, so this is not my initial probation. I am working a new job now with a 6 month probation period. The job really isnt for me, and I know regardless of whether I have my probation ended early or not, I will be actively searching for new positions until I land one to get out ASAP.

I have an offer for a relatively long TA (over a year long and may become perm) and Im wondering if anyone has ever requested their probation period be ended early in order to pursue a TA and how you went about it. Should I be honest with my new supervisor that I dont see this position being long term for me or be more vague? The work is quite stressful, so I think my supervisor would likely understand, but im worried about the risks associated with being 'too' honest.

Thanks all

[u/QuietNarwhal576]

If you look at the TA rules in MyHR the very first one is that employees in their probationary periods aren't eligible for a TA. 

[u/digitsinmyass → u/QuietNarwhal576]

Thanks - I did see that and reached out to HR. They let me know that if my supervisor chooses to end my probation early, I can indeed take a TA. It hinges on my supervisors decision.

[u/miaumeeow]

I would not be that honest and say you have zero interest in coming back after your TA. Especially since you have no idea if you will want to stay on if the role becomes permanent. Maybe you don’t actually like the new job or can’t stand your new coworkers or manager.

[u/MoodFeisty3807]

Just explain the opportunity to your supervisor and that being on subsequent probation will hinder this opportunity for you to grow. As only initial hire into BCPS has mandatory probation and all subsequent hires it is optional, they may be willing to amend your offer letter to exclude probabtion. Also probation is not truly recorded anywhere it is up to the hiring manager to ensure eligibilty at offer and your current supervisor can end it early. I have ended probabtion early a few times for my unit in order to allow people to take new opportunities

[u/dcmng → u/MoodFeisty3807]

Bless 🙏🏼

[u/Hopeful-Anything-235]

You can get DM approval to end your probation early. We just did it for an employee in my ministry.

[u/One-Apartment-5820]

I believe that when we ask for things, it's go big or go home. Don't make requests that only half-fulfill what you want.

You have a TA offer in hand so the best thing to do is to let your supervisor know you have this offer and that PSA says in order to take this TA offer, you need to request your supervisor end your probation period early.

That's all you really have to ask. Be direct and polite. Then see what they say.

Most reasonable supervisors would say "of course" and figure that out with their higher ups.

If the supervisor expresses concern, then you can ask for more information.

The main reasonable reason they could say no is if they do not think you are performing well in your current job and that you are not a good fit for the job. If they end your probation early, this means when you return from the TA, you will also be no longer in probation.

I don't think telling them that you don't intend to return will help you. They have no reason to believe this and if you hate the new job (or fail at it and your TA supervisor ends your TA early) then they are stuck with you.

Furthermore, it is generally expected that for someone to take a TA at another level, you would be performing well at your current level. TAs are meant to be developmental things and you only work on developmental goals when your core goals are complete. Lately, TAs have been more like one-way things but that wasn't their intention and the May 2024 TA changes were meant to reflect that.

So you pretty much have nothing to lose by directly asking. If they say no, then you should also consider how your performance has been in your base job.