A probation review is a style of performance appraisal that consists of meeting at the end of an employee's probationary period. 

Generally, this is a period of time that is prescribed in the employee's employment contract (referred to as a trial period in New Zealand and probation period in Australia). 

In general, a probation review meeting provides an opportunity for a manager to evaluate the employee's present performance, offer helpful feedback and determine their overall probation status, i.e. will they continue the employment relationship. They typically last around an hour, but this varies by organisation.

Giving feedback to your employees is an incredibly powerful tool and critical part of a successful probationary review meeting. It can help your team member achieve more and inspire them to innovate. It also improves communication, builds trust and helps you get the most out of your team. “According to PWC, nearly 60% of survey respondents reported that they would like feedback on a daily or weekly basis—a number that increased to 72% for employees under age 30.”

Using the SBI Model to provide valuable feedback The SBI Model allows for specific feedback and can assist with conflict resolution. It’s the process of understanding the situation that occurred, the behaviour of the parties involved, and the impact it had on others and the wider business.  Check out the model and example of its execution below. 

The Employment Hero Ultimate Performance Management Kit attached below has a range of quick reference templates that can help guide your discussions. From self-rating templates, 1:1 discussion guide and Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) template it's a great tool.  Head straight to Page 20 for all access to the templates or check out our article on Conducting Effective Probation Discussions. 

If you are in Australia and employing team members, we recommend that you engage with HR Central to ensure you are effectively managing all compliance requirements for your team.   You can also access a host of templates by searching Probation via the Fair Work Ombudsman Templates and Resources page. 

In New Zealand, we recommend that you engage with Employsure to ensure you are effectively managing all compliance requirements for your team.   You can also access a host of templates on the Employment NZ website.