§ 2-42. Probationary period

(a) Every person being employed by the police jury under these policy provisions shall be required to successfully complete a probationary period of three (3) months.

(b) Department heads shall use the probationary period to closely observe and evaluate the work and fitness of employees. Department heads shall retain only those employees who meet acceptable standards during the probationary periods.

(c) A probationary employee may be separated at any time during the probationary period when, in the judgement of the department head, the employee's fitness or quality of work are not such as to merit continuation in the job.

(d) An employee failing probation shall have no right of appeal except on the grounds of discrimination prohibited by law or these policies.

(h) Probationary employees shall be evaluated immediately prior to the completion of their probationary period.

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

(j) When permanent employees who have completed their formal probationary period are deemed by the department head to not be performing satisfactory, the department head shall counsel and advise the employee of the unsatisfactory work. The department head will document the counseling session and send one copy to the parish administrator for file. The department head with the parish administrator may either establish a new probationary period not to exceed thirty (30) days, demote the employee to a position of lesser responsibility (including pay rate) or terminate the employee.

(k) If a new probationary period is given, at the end of the period, if satisfactory progress by the employee has not been made, the department head with the parish administrator, may either demote the employee to a position of lesser responsibility (including pay rate) or terminate the employee.

(Ord. of 3-20-74, § 1; Ord. No. 29, § 1, 12-15-83; Mo. of 2-18-04)