Probation Period

The probation period, also termed trial period or introductory period, is an agreed upon period during which a new employee’s work performance, suitability and fit for a job role are evaluated by an employer. Normally probation periods can be from a few weeks to several months depending on the company's policies, industry norms, and the role's complexity. The probationary period is both the employer's and the employee's chance to assess whether the job fits well, and whether the employee can meet the expectations and demands of the position. At the end of the probation period, the employer has the alternative of either confirming the employee's permanent employment status, extending the probationary period or terminating the employment relationship due to the employee's feedback and performance evaluation.

Example

Let's imagine that John is a male sales associate hired by the retail company BetaMart who has a probation period of three months in which his performance and integration into the team will be assessed. During the probationary period, John participates in training, gets performance feedback from his manager, and has an opportunity to show his skill set in customer service, products knowledge and salesmanship. While on the other hand, the management of BetaMart keeps a close eye on John's progress and evaluates his work performance all against the company's culture and values. At the end of the probation period, John's supervisor performs an evaluation and decides that he has carried out his responsibilities successfully, accomplishing his sales goals and obtaining positive reviews from clients. Therefore, BetaMart offers John a permanent position, and he becomes a regular full-time sales associate, enhancing the business's retail successes.