Groundworkers
Probation Periods for Groundworkers
Plain-English guidance on probation periods for UK groundworkers and small business owners — what the law requires and how to handle it without making costly mistakes.
Real situations groundworkers face
- —a groundworker not achieving the required standard for drainage laying and jointing within the first 90 days.
- —an operative still needing supervision on standard excavation and backfill tasks halfway through probation.
- —a groundworker repeatedly failing to complete pre-use plant checks throughout the entire first month.
These are exactly the kinds of situations where getting the probation periods process wrong can lead to an employment tribunal claim.
What you need to know as a groundworks employer
As a groundworks employer, handling probation periods correctly is essential to avoid employment tribunal claims. UK employment law applies to all employers regardless of business size, and the consequences of getting the process wrong can be costly.
The situations that most commonly arise for groundworks businesses include: a groundworker not achieving the required standard for drainage laying and jointing within the first 90 days, an operative still needing supervision on standard excavation and backfill tasks halfway through probation, a groundworker repeatedly failing to complete pre-use plant checks throughout the entire first month. Each of these requires a correct and documented process to protect your business.
This guide covers what you need to do as a groundworks employer. For the complete step-by-step process, read the full guide linked below.
More guides for groundworkers
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