Stage 7 of 8 · 7 lessons · ~2 weeks
Workplace basics
Probation, reviews, pay, leave, notice periods, your rights and how to report harassment, plus burnout, boundaries and remote or office etiquette. Details vary by country and company, so always check your contract and local law.
Start: Getting through probationLessons· one lesson for each topic, in this order
Do this
- Write down your probation length and ask your manager how it is judged.
- Find out when the review cycle runs and what the self-review asks.
- Read your first payslip line by line and ask HR about anything unclear.
- Note your notice period and annual leave, and book some leave for this year.
- Find your code of conduct and at least two routes to report a problem.
- Write two working boundaries, such as reply hours, and share them with your team.
- Check your chat status, calendar and time zone settings are accurate.
Start with· follow one of these
- GuideFreeMental Health at Work (WHO fact sheet)
World Health Organization
A calm, global summary of work-related stress and what employers and workers can do
- GuideFreeGitLab's Guide to All-Remote
GitLab
Detailed guidance on remote etiquette, async habits and boundaries from an all-remote company
Keep handy
Also worth your time
- Burn-out an "occupational phenomenon": International Classification of Diseases (opens in a new tab)Read
The official definition of burnout and its three dimensions, in a few paragraphs
The classic on why sustainable pace, quiet and trust make teams productive
Before moving on: A one-page personal reference with your probation dates and criteria, review cycle dates, notice period, leave entitlement, the reporting routes in your code of conduct, and two written working boundaries.
Take your leave. Nobody gets promoted for skipping holidays, and a burnt-out junior helps no one. And learn where the code of conduct and HR contacts are in week one, not when you need them. Rules differ by country, so read your own contract and local law, not a thread from somewhere else.