Probation Period

I had a probationary period for three months, and in our company's policy and procedure book our evaluation is to be done one week before our three month probation period is to end. My evaluation wasn't done until three weeks after my probationary period ended. My executive director (which is the one that did my evaluation) is putting forth that I have my probationary period extended another three months, even though on the evaluation she says that I satisfactorily meet my job requirements. I should also mention that she is on a probationary period herself, and was only able to evaluate me on a two month period. My question is does she have the right to extend my probation, with these conditions?

Carl's response: Based on the information you mention above, this certainly seems a bit odd and unfair. Having said that, I wonder if your executive director is covering herself and the company since you mention that she was only able to evaluate you for two months rather than three in addition to the fact that she's on probation too? Perhaps they want to have a full three month period to evaluate you? Still, it does seem odd if you haven't been told why they want to extend your probation period if your work was considered satisfactory.

As far as whether or not she has the right to do this, I'm not sure if you have a union or HR department or what your local employment laws dictate so I can't really comment. Perhaps you could get a clarification on why the probation is being extended for three months as opposed to just extending it for 1 more month, which would give her a full 3 months to evaluate you? Perhaps you could also find out if there is anything that you could improve upon so you could at least know if there is a difference between a "satisfactory" performance and say a performance that "exceeded expectations" if there is such a designation.

Carl