Initial Review Procedure

Your initial review period is an opportunity for both you and dxw to understand whether your new role is a good match. It gives us time to understand and assess how you’re settling into your role, while allowing you to get to know dxw, understand how we work and build confidence in your new position. 

Your initial review period is 4 months. We think this is sufficient to allow you to demonstrate that you are meeting the expectations of the role and understand if dxw’s ways of working align with your own. There may be some limited situations where more time is needed and so we may extend this period, usually by up to 1 month. During your initial review period you will be supported by your line manager and will have regular check-ins with them to discuss progress and give/receive feedback. 

dxw’s performance improvement procedure will not apply to you during your initial review period.

Process #

Setting objectives

In your first couple of weeks, you and your line manager will agree on a set of objectives for you to work towards during your initial review period. 

These will:

• reflect the key parts of your role
• be achievable during the initial review period
• be clear and measurable
• create a shared understanding of what is expected during your first few months at dxw
  

You’ll discuss these objectives regularly in your check-ins.

Check-ins & feedback

You’ll have regular (usually weekly) check-ins with your line manager to:

• talk through how things are going, including progress towards your objectives
• discuss any challenges or blockers
• receive and give feedback
• review the support being given and adapt this if needed

Your line manager will gather feedback from people you have worked with during your initial review period. If there are any concerns about your progress, your line manager will:

• raise these with you as early as possible
• explain clearly what needs to improve
• agree a clear plan to support you which will be documented

2 and 3 month reviews

In addition to your regular check-ins you will have reviews with your line manager at 2 and 3 months after joining. These are an opportunity to discuss progress towards your objectives in more detail and identify any areas that still need further improvement and/or support. If, for any reason, it seems like more than 4 months may be needed for your initial review this will be discussed and documented in these meetings.

4 month review

You will also receive a written invitation to a review meeting after 4 months at dxw. At this meeting your line manager will:

• share feedback they have gathered 
• review your progress against your objectives
• discuss the outcome of your initial review period
• understand if any further or different support is needed, now that the initial review period is coming to an end

The possible outcomes of your 4 month review meeting are:

• Initial review completed - you have successfully completed your initial review period.
• Initial review extended - your initial review period is extended, usually by up to 1 month to allow you more time to reach your objectives.
• Initial review not passed - your initial review period has not been successful and your employment with dxw will end.

You may be accompanied by a trade union representative or a colleague at the 4 month review meeting and any final review meeting after an extension.

Following your 4 month review meeting, the outcome of your initial review period will be confirmed to you in writing. If your initial review period is extended, your letter will detail the reason/s for this, and will outline support that we can offer you during your extension. If you have not successfully completed your initial review period, your letter will detail the reason/s for this, and will outline the next steps.

If your initial review period is extended

If your objectives haven’t been sufficiently met, or you haven’t demonstrated that you are meeting the expectations of the role, we may use our discretion to extend your initial review period, usually by up to 1 month. 

During this period, your line manager will discuss with you any additional support or adjustments that may be needed, and will collect further feedback from people you have worked with.

You will then be invited, in writing, to a final review meeting at the end of the extension period. At this meeting, your line manager will share the newly gathered feedback, and you will discuss your progress against your objectives.

The outcome of your initial review period will be confirmed during this meeting and will be either:

• Initial review completed - you have successfully completed your initial review period.
• Initial review not passed - your initial review period has not been successful and your employment with dxw will end. 

Following this meeting, the outcome of your initial review will be confirmed to you in writing. 

If the outcome is that your employment will end, you will receive full pay for your contracted notice period but may not be required to work during this time.

dxw may terminate your employment without notice or payment in lieu of notice in cases of gross misconduct.

Appeal procedure

If you feel that your initial review period has been unfair, you disagree with the outcome, or you have new evidence you wish to be considered that you think may change the outcome, you have the right to appeal against the decision. You must do this in writing to the Head of People within 7 calendar days of receiving written confirmation of your initial review period outcome. 

The Head of People will consider the grounds for your appeal and appoint a Director to review your case. You will be invited to attend an appeal meeting where you will have an opportunity to explain your reasons for appeal. Following that meeting we will confirm in writing whether the original outcome has been upheld, or your appeal is supported and the original outcome is changed.

dxw’s decision following that meeting will be final and there is no further right to appeal.

Last updated: 18 June 2026