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Sack any time first two years - so what’s the point of probation periods?

Savesmartsunday · 2023-01-16 15:26:48

I’ve often seen it written “can be sacked any time in the first two years”, so why do most of the companies I’ve worked for have a 6 month probation period and does it trump the two year mark?

16 January at 4:26PM in Employment, jobseeking & training

11 replies 875 views

Replies

25 January at 12:02PM

Exodi Forumite
2.1K Posts

Forumite

25 January at 12:02PM

YBR said:

In the normal contracts for my company, either the company or the employee can walk away with very short notice (possibly a week). After that it's normally 3 months notice.
Of course that's not universal.

Similar to mine, things like CSP, extended notice, life policy, private health insurance, etc only kick in for employees that have passed probation.

Anecdotally, the main reason (as an employer) is notice. If it's immediately obvious they are not a good fit for the business, you don't want them starting with an immediate 3 month notice.

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