I am looking at extending the length of time in which a new employee is considered to be on a probationary period from 3 months to 6 months. We are a production based environment, and experience the usual problems with regards to absences, etc which quite often results in us extending probationary periods.

Does anyone else have probationary periods which last six months, and if so is this something that you thinks works? Do you find it puts potential new employees off?

Thanks
Donna