§ 1-94. Probation.

(a)

Every person entering parish service under these policy provisions shall be required to successfully complete a probationary period of one hundred eighty (180) days.

(b)

Supervisors shall use the probationary period to closely observe and evaluate the work and fitness of employees, and to encourage adjustment to their jobs and the parish services. Department heads shall retain only those employees who meet acceptable standards during the probationary period.

(c)

A probationary employee may be separated at any time during the probationary period when, in the judgment of the department head, the employee's fitness and/or quality of work are not such as to merit continuation in the job. If desirable and feasible, the employee may be administratively transferred to a more suitable position.

(d)

An employee failing probation shall have no right of appeal except on the grounds of discrimination prohibited by law or these rules, in which case the employee may appeal in writing to the equal opportunity officer in accordance with established EEO procedures.

(e)

A newly promoted employee shall not be subject to a formal probationary period. However, such employee may be returned to his or her former position within forty-five (45) days after promotion when, in the judgment of the supervisor, the employee's fitness and/or quality of work are not such as to merit continuation in the higher level position. Such action must be approved by the personnel director and shall not be considered disciplinary, or eliminate the employee from consideration for later advancement.

(f)

Probationary employees shall be evaluated at the mid-point of their probationary periods and again immediately prior to the completion thereof.

(g)

Upon completion of the ninety-day probation period, a marginal employee may be placed by the department head on an additional ninety-day probation period, with thorough documentation.

(h)

Department heads shall ensure the thorough documentation of all cases of failure of probation.

(i)

Upon completion of the one hundred eighty-day probationary period by the employee as provided under this section, the department head and the immediate supervisor of that employee shall complete a performance evaluation. Any wage adjustment recommended by the department head after completion of the one hundred eighty-day probationary period shall be subject to the approval of the Ouachita Parish Police Jury.

(j)

Subsection (i) above shall not be applicable to employees of the Ouachita Parish fire department.

(Ord. of 12-20-76, § 4.1; Ord. No. 8122, 8-15-88; Ord. No. 8139, 2-13-89; Ord. No. 8251, 3-16-92)