Probation period
An agreed early period of employment used to review suitability, support and expectations.
What is a probation period?
A probation period is a contractual review period at the start of employment. UK law does not create a special employment status called 'on probation'; contractual terms and statutory rights still apply.
A useful probation process sets expectations, provides feedback, records support and makes any extension or outcome before the review date drifts past.
What matters
Start with the rule
A probation period is a contractual review period at the start of employment. UK law does not create a special employment status called 'on probation'; contractual terms and statutory rights still apply.
Write down the decision
Keep the policy, dates, calculation inputs and decision together so another person can understand what happened.
Check the current source
Dismissal, discrimination and contractual issues can still arise during probation. Take advice on a specific case.
A practical checklist
For a small team, a short repeatable process beats an impressive policy nobody follows.
- Put the duration and notice terms in writing
- Set role expectations and support
- Schedule a midpoint check
- Record evidence and feedback
- Confirm pass, extension or next step in writing
Where software helps — and where it does not
HollyHR can keep the relevant people record, dates, documents, leave and working pattern in one place. It cannot decide a legal, medical or employee-relations question for you.
Dismissal, discrimination and contractual issues can still arise during probation. Take advice on a specific case.
Check the source, not just our summary
Rules and product pages change. These are the first-party references behind this page.
Questions people ask
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a practical summary for UK small teams. Check the linked official guidance and take qualified advice for a specific or disputed case.
Why keep the source with the calculation?
Rates and rules change. Recording the inputs, date and source makes the answer reviewable instead of becoming an unexplained number in a spreadsheet.
Can HollyHR track this?
HollyHR can hold the underlying employee, working-pattern, leave and document records. It does not present itself as a legal-advice engine.
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