ARTICLE 15. PROBATION

15.1 General Principles. This Article is effective for appointments made on or after July 1, 2002. Extended absences of any kind (paid or unpaid) lasting one (1) week or more in duration may be excluded when calculating time toward the completion of any probationary period.

15.1.1 If a District employee who is covered by this Agreement transfers to a position in the City of Saint Paul, that employee will have the right to return to his/her former position or to a position to which the employee may have been transferred or assigned prior to the new assignment, during or immediately at the conclusion of that probationary period, if the employee fails probation in the City position.

15.2 Original Employment Probation. A new employee shall serve a twelve (12) month probationary period following regular appointment from an eligible list to a position covered by this Agreement. For the purpose of this Article, twelve (12) months shall mean twelve (12) calendar months, including non-work months. At any time during this original probationary period, the employee may be suspended, disciplined or discharged at the discretion of the Employer, and without recourse to the grievance procedure. If an employee is laid off or terminated during the probationary period, but without receiving an unsatisfactory rating and is subsequently rehired into the same title within two years of the layoff or termination, the total probation period shall not exceed the original 12 month requirement.

15.3 Promotional Probation. An employee newly promoted to a position covered by this Agreement shall remain on promotional probation for a period of six (6) months. Six (6) months shall mean six (6) full-time equivalent months (1,040 hours on the payroll). The calculation for time on probation will exclude any unpaid breaks not worked by the employee. At any time during this probationary period, the employee may be returned to the employee’s previous position or to a position to which the employee may have been transferred or assigned prior to the promotion, at the discretion of the Employer, and without recourse to the grievance procedure.

ARTICLE 14. INSURANCE BENEFITS TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTICLE 16. SENIORITY