Employment Law Question - Probationary Periods

[A1Mikey]

If you start a job and the contract states that for the first 6 months is a 'probationary period', does this mean that if you are not up to standard they can sack you without notice or without giving a reason?

Also, does this mean that they can only end your employment at the 'end' fo the 6 month period, or can they do so at any point 'within' the 6 month period.

[bednobs]

you will always need notice. In the first year in employment, you can be sacked at any time anyway for any reason or even no reason, so "probationary period" isn't any different.

[Buenchico]

As Bednobs states, it's perfectly lawful to dismiss any employee for (almost) any reason whatsoever, or even in the complete absence of a reason, within the first year of employment. (There are limited exceptions, such as discrimination on the grounds of race or sexual orientation).

Normally a 'probationary period' means that the employee's proficiency will be assessed at the end of that period, and a decision made as to whether they should be permitted to continue in employment. However if (for example) they've turned up late (or not at all) on most days, regularly offended colleagues and customers, and made a complete hash of the job, the employer would not e obliged to wait until the end of the probationary period before terminating their employment.

Chris

[dotty.]

Yes, that's why it is a probationary period, if your performance is lacking no company can afford to keep you on,