(A) An employee appointed or promoted to a regular position shall serve a probationary period. Employees shall serve a six month probationary period, except that sworn public safety personnel and department heads shall serve a 12-month probationary period.
(B) During the probationary period, supervisors shall monitor an employee’s performance and communicate with the employee concerning performance progress. Before the end of the probationary period, the supervisor shall conduct a performance evaluation conference with the employee and discuss accomplishments, strengths, and needed improvements. A summary of this discussion shall be documented in the employee’s personnel file. The supervisor shall recommend in writing whether the probationary period should be completed, extended, or the employee transferred, demoted, or dismissed. Probationary periods may be extended for a maximum of six additional months.
(C) Disciplinary action, including demotion and dismissal, may be taken at any time during the probationary period of a new hire without following the steps outlined in this chapter. A promoted employee who does not successfully complete the probationary period may be transferred or demoted to a position in which the employee shows promise of success. If no such position is available, the employee shall be dismissed.
(D) A new appointee may be dismissed at any time during the probationary period if the department head determines that the employee is incapable of doing their assigned duties satisfactorily.
(Ord. passed 5-17-94; Am. Ord. passed 8-29-09; Am. Ord. passed 2-18-14)