Proforma letter D
Dear
I am pleased to offer you an appointment, subject to the terms and conditions set out in the letter of appointment attached, as (title of post) in grade.......... of the salary structure for..............
However, in view of your skills and experience in relation to the requirements of the post, the department considers that a [trial period/period of training] is necessary to assess the suitability of the post offered. This offer of appointment is dependent upon the overriding condition that you satisfactorily complete a trial period of (period at least four weeks) [during which time appropriate training will be provided]. The trial period will commence on (date) and terminate on (date), with an interim review on (date). If within the trial period either you or the department conclude that this post is not suitable, then following consultation between you and the department, your employment may be terminated at that point by either party.
This overriding condition is reproduced in paragraph [insert number] of the attached letter of appointment and I would be pleased if you would indicate your acceptance of the terms and conditions which govern your employment by signing and dating the attached copy of the letter of appointment and returning it to me.
Yours sincerely,
Notes to departments
1. The relevant paragraph of the letter of appointment to be attached to proforma letter D should reproduce the wording of para. 2 of this letter, omitting the introductory ‘however’. It should be inserted at the end of the letter, following the list of ‘policy statements and other documents’.
2. In these circumstances, any termination of employment within the trial period for a reason related to the suitability of the new employment will be treated as a dismissal related to the ending of the previous employment, i.e. it will be due to redundancy. Departments are therefore asked to note that where the member of staff was previously employed on an open-ended externally funded contract, the ending of his or her employment will still be subject to a recommendation of the Redundancy Committee. The case for this will need to be made by the department responsible for the ending of the previous employment.
3. Assuming the individual has satisfactorily completed a probationary period in their previous post, no formal probationary period should be included in the letter of appointment for the new post.