What does it mean for an employee to have tenure?

Having tenure means that an employee has a guarantee of continued employment after successfully completing a probation period. This concept is particularly common in educational institutions, where educators may achieve tenure after demonstrating their capabilities and contributions over a certain period. Once tenure is granted, the employee typically enjoys greater job security and protection from arbitrary dismissal, providing them with a sense of stability in their position.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the core meaning of tenure. An extended probation period is a reevaluation of a new employee's performance rather than a status of job security. A requirement to teach for a minimum of five years pertains to specific policies at certain institutions but does not define tenure itself. Finally, an offer of promotion concerns career advancement rather than the job security aspect that tenure fundamentally represents.