# Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-30-308: Probationary period of employment for preferred service employees

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C30_S8-30-308

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-30-308
- **Heading:** Probationary period of employment for preferred service employees
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 8 / Chapter 30 / Section 8-30-308

## Text

(a) Every person appointed to a position in the preferred service shall be subject to a probationary period of employment. The probationary period shall commence immediately upon appointment and shall continue for such time, not less than one (1) year, as shall be established by the commissioner. At any time during the employee's probationary period the appointing authority may remove the employee if, in the opinion of the appointing authority, the employee's performance or conduct during the probationary period indicates that such employee is unable or unwilling to satisfactorily perform or is not satisfactorily performing the employee's duties, or that the employee's habits, dependability, or conduct do not merit continuance in the service. (b) During the last month of an employee's probationary period, the appointing authority shall notify the commissioner in writing whether the performance and conduct of the employee have been satisfactory and whether continued employment is recommended. (c) An employee in the preferred service who accepts another preferred service position within the same state agency shall serve a subsequent probationary period for a time period of not less than one (1) year. An employee serving a subsequent probationary period may appeal a suspension, demotion, or separation from service; provided, that an employee shall not appeal a demotion that returns the employee to the employee's immediately preceding former position. Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 792,s 1, eff. 4/20/2018. Acts 2012, ch. 800, § 29.
(a) Every person appointed to a position in the preferred service shall be subject to a probationary period of employment. The probationary period shall commence immediately upon appointment and shall continue for such time, not less than one (1) year, as shall be established by the commissioner. At any time during the employee's probationary period the appointing authority may remove the employee if, in the opinion of the appointing authority, the employee's performance or conduct during the probationary period indicates that such employee is unable or unwilling to satisfactorily perform or is not satisfactorily performing the employee's duties, or that the employee's habits, dependability, or conduct do not merit continuance in the service.
(b) During the last month of an employee's probationary period, the appointing authority shall notify the commissioner in writing whether the performance and conduct of the employee have been satisfactory and whether continued employment is recommended.
(c) An employee in the preferred service who accepts another preferred service position within the same state agency shall serve a subsequent probationary period for a time period of not less than one (1) year. An employee serving a subsequent probationary period may appeal a suspension, demotion, or separation from service; provided, that an employee shall not appeal a demotion that returns the employee to the employee's immediately preceding former position.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 792,s 1, eff. 4/20/2018.
Acts 2012, ch. 800, § 29.

## Nearby sections

- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-30-101 Purpose - Policy - Construction - Governance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C30_S8-30-101.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-30-102 Application of chapter](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C30_S8-30-102.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-30-103 Chapter definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C30_S8-30-103.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-30-104 Authority of commissioner - Supervisory personnel - Designees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C30_S8-30-104.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-30-105 Rules have force and effect of law](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C30_S8-30-105.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-30-106 Powers of department](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C30_S8-30-106.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-30-107 Compliance with chapter - Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C30_S8-30-107.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-30-108 Board of appeals](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C30_S8-30-108.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-30-201 Division of state service into preferred service and executive service](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C30_S8-30-201.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-30-202 Executive service positions - Preferred service positions - Determination of equivalent positions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C30_S8-30-202.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-30-203 Determination of authority, duties and responsibilities of state preferred service positions - Classification plan - Role of commissioner - Statement of minimum qualifications - Upgrades in classification plan](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C30_S8-30-203.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-30-204 Commissioner approval for establishing new preferred service position or making material change](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C30_S8-30-204.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-30-205 Changes in classification plan](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C30_S8-30-205.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-30-206 Approval required for classification title - Use of working job titles](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C30_S8-30-206.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C30_S8-30-308. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.