How an employee becomes permanent
Most people join as probationers. At the end of probation, often six months, the manager reviews their work and HR issues a confirmation letter, after which the employee is permanent. Some companies confirm automatically if nothing is said by the end of probation, while others insist on a written confirmation. Where standing orders apply, they usually list permanent as a category of worker and describe how a worker reaches it, so check yours.
Permanent, fixed-term and temporary compared
Permanent status does not mean a job for life; it means the employment has no built-in end date. Ending it needs a valid reason and the notice and process in the appointment terms and the law. For a worker with at least one year of continuous service, retrenchment needs one month's written notice with reasons or wages in lieu, and compensation of 15 days' average pay per completed year, as set out in the notice and termination rules.
- Permanent: no end date, continues until resignation, retirement or termination
- Fixed-term: employed for an agreed period under a written contract, with full employee status
- Temporary: engaged for work of a temporary nature, often without a firm end date
- Contract labour: on a contractor's rolls, not the company's
What changes on becoming permanent
On confirmation, the notice period usually becomes longer, some benefits start, and the employee may become eligible for things like salary advances or a larger leave quota. HR updates the employee's status and any work terms that differ after confirmation. In ZeniaHR, confirmation issues a confirmation letter saved to the employee's documents, and the work terms policy can set different notice days in probation and after confirmation.
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What is the difference between a permanent and a confirmed employee?
In most companies they mean the same thing. An employee becomes permanent when they are confirmed after probation: confirmed refers to the event, and permanent describes the ongoing status. Some organizations, especially in government and public sector units, use the words more precisely, so read your appointment and confirmation letters for the exact meaning.
Can a permanent employee be terminated?
Yes. Permanent status means the job has no fixed end date, not that it can never be ended. The employer must follow the appointment terms, the standing orders where they apply, and the law. For a worker with a year or more of continuous service, retrenchment needs one month's notice with reasons or wages in lieu, plus compensation of 15 days' average pay per completed year.