RULE 9. PROBATION

Houston Code of Ordinances ch. 14, art. II, div. 9

in effect

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-122 Duration.

Sec. 14-122. - Duration. (a) Each appointment to a position in the civil service shall be for a probationary period of 12 consecutive months. Each employee so appointed shall complete the 12 months probationary period, which is to be regarded as a working evaluation period, before being considered a civil service employee. (b) Each promotion in the civil service shall require an additional probationary period of six months, which is also to be regarded as a working evaluation period. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-123 Service during probation.

Sec. 14-123. - Service during probation. During a probationary period the department director shall observe the performance and conduct of the employee and, if such is not satisfactory, then the circumstances shall be filed in writing with the commission. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-124 Effect of nonpaid absences or transfers during probation.

Sec. 14-124. - Effect of nonpaid absences or transfers during probation. (a) If an employee is absent without pay for any reason from his work for a period of over 30 calendar days, during the probationary period, the time he is absent shall not count as a part of the period of probation and the employee will be required to serve that additional time as part of his probationary period. (b) If an employee is transferred during the period of probation from a position in one department to a position in another department, the employee so transferred shall be required to start a new probationary period at the time of his transfer. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-125 Removals during probation.

Sec. 14-125. - Removals during probation. (a) In case the department director deems a probationary employee unable or unwilling to render satisfactory service, or for other sufficient cause, the director of the department may remove such employee upon written notice to the commission. When any employee is removed for any cause during probationary period, he shall not be entitled to a review or hearing before the commission. (b) If a civil service employee is removed during probation, from a position to which he has been promoted, he shall be restored to his former classification in the department in which the employee is presently assigned, unless the employee consents to other placement. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 14-126 Credit for prior service.

Sec. 14-126. - Credit for prior service. The provisions of this section shall be available in any instance in which a position which was not theretofore subject to civil service protections is revised or redesignated by action of the council or the commission so that it becomes a civil service position and the incumbent thereof qualifies for and continues to hold such position without a break in service after its revision or redesignation. Under such circumstances, the commission may, upon recommendation of the department director and the director and a finding that the duties and responsibilities of the position have not substantially changed, grant credit to the incumbent for all or a portion of his prior service time or none towards the appointment probation period established pursuant to section 14-122 of this Code. (Ord. No. 2015-1300, § 2(Exh. A), 12-16-2015)

Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH14CISE_ARTIIRU_DIV9RU9.PRFetched: 10/26/2026