Rejection on Probation

If you frequently review and act upon the information provided here, you’ll greatly reduce your chances of rejection.

However, if you don’t measure up to the required knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) required for the job, do not satisfactorily learn the job, or are otherwise deemed a bad fit for the position, you may still be rejected on probation. However, you must be given specific reasons and examples why you are being rejected. For instance, it is not enough for your boss to say you’ve been rejected because you did not meet the KSAs. You must be given specific examples of when those standards were not met.

If you have been a state worker before and there has been no break in your civil service career, you may return to a position in your previous classification with your previous department. But you must request a return to your previous classification/department in writing and within 10 working days of the effective date of your rejection. You also have the right to appeal within 15 days of the effective date of your rejection by filing a written appeal with the State Personnel Board.

If you are a new state worker and have not passed probation in another classification or department, you will be separated from civil service. Following a rejection, you have the right to appeal within 15 days of the effective date of your rejection by filing a written appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Once a decision to reject is reached, it’s extremely difficult to win an appeal—you must prove fraud, bad faith or discrimination. Unfortunately, the state does not need to prove the reasons for the rejection are legitimate; the burden of proof is on you – not the state – to show that the reasons for rejection are untrue, discriminatory or fraudulent. However, even if you cannot win your appeal, a steward or Union Representative may be able to assist you in negotiating a settlement. 

For more information and for assistance in filing an appeal, contact the Local 1000 Union Resource Center at 866.471.SEIU (7348).

Take preventative action early. If you learn far into your probation that you’re heading toward rejection, you will wish you could start over. But you can’t turn back the clock. That’s why probationary employees are urged to take probation as seriously as the next civil service exam.