Home > Employment Relations > Starting or hiring > Employent relationships > Employment agreements > Probation periods

Probation periods

An employer also has the option to an initial probationary period. If the first part of the employment relationship is a probation period this must be recorded in writing in the employment agreement including its duration.

A probation period allows the new employee to demonstrate their skills . Such arrangements may be permissible where the duration and tasks are limited and designed to give the employer a fair opportunity to assess the skills.

Employers may not use such an arrangement to get work done without having to pay for it. A probation period does not limit the legal rights and obligations of the employer or the employee, and both parties must deal with each other in good faith.