Dear Vastavaamit,
In employment parlance, " probation " is the situation or period of time in which a newly appointed employee's suitability to his job and the organization's work culture are ascertained by the employer. It has got many parameters such as punctuality, receptivity to work-related instructions, adherence to general rules of discipline of the organization, cordial maintenance on inter-personal relationships with superiors, peers and subordinates, integrity and honesty, attainment of the desired level of efficiency etc. If the probationer is lacking in any one of the parameters, his probation can be extended so as to give him an opportunity to correct his behaviour or he can be simply discharged as per the contract of employment. However, involvement in union activities can not be a negative factor.