Remote Work Probation: Assessment Strategies
The widespread shift toward remote and hybrid working has reshaped the modern workplace. While these flexible models offer numerous benefits — including improved work-life balance and access to a wider talent pool — they have also introduced new complexities for employers. One of the most important is how to effectively manage probation periods when employees […]
Probation and Gig Workers: UK Employer Guide
The traditional probationary period — a defined phase during which an employee’s suitability is assessed — has long been embedded in UK employment practice. However, the rise of the gig economy, with its emphasis on short-term, flexible engagements, challenges this conventional concept. For businesses engaging freelancers, contractors, or gig workers, managing initial periods of work […]
Probation, Maternity & Family Leave: A Guide
Probation periods are a valuable tool in the employment relationship, offering a defined window for employers to assess whether a new employee is a good fit for the role. But what happens when a probation period coincides with statutory family leave — such as maternity, paternity, or adoption leave? These overlapping scenarios are increasingly common […]
Extending Probation Periods: A Guide for Employers
Probation periods are a standard feature in many UK employment contracts, giving employers a defined window to assess whether a new employee is suited to the role. But what happens when an employee shows potential but hasn’t quite met expectations by the end of the initial probation period? In such cases, extending the probation period […]
Inclusive Probation for Neurodivergent Employees
The probation period is a pivotal stage in the employment lifecycle — a chance for employers to evaluate whether a new hire is suited to their role. But traditional probation processes often overlook the needs of neurodivergent employees, who may face unique barriers unrelated to their capability or potential. Neurodivergence refers to natural variations in […]
Probation and Mental Health: Employer Guide
Probation periods are a vital stage in the employment journey. For employers, they provide a structured opportunity to assess a new hire’s performance, conduct, and cultural fit. But for many employees, particularly those facing mental health challenges, probation can be a time of heightened stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. Mental health should not be an afterthought […]
Probation for Part-Time Workers: Fair Practice
The nature of work is evolving. Today, more employees than ever are choosing part-time hours or flexible working arrangements — driven by lifestyle preferences, caring responsibilities, or the pursuit of better work-life balance. While these working patterns are becoming increasingly normalised, the way employers manage probation periods has not always kept pace. Probation is a […]
Dismissing Employees During Probation
Probation periods are widely used by employers as a practical tool for assessing new hires. When an employee under probation doesn’t meet expectations, the decision to dismiss can feel relatively straightforward — particularly given the perception that legal risk is minimal during the early months of employment. However, this assumption can lead to costly mistakes. […]
Probation and Diversity: Aligning Goals
Diversity and inclusion (D&I) are no longer optional for modern employers — they are strategic imperatives that drive innovation, engagement, and organisational success. While many companies now invest heavily in inclusive recruitment practices, probation periods often fall outside the scope of D&I strategy. This is a missed opportunity. As the crucial first phase of employment, […]
The Future of Probation Periods: What’s Next?
Probation periods have long been a fixture of employment practice in the UK, offering employers a time-limited window to assess a new hire’s performance, conduct, and overall suitability for the role. At the same time, they offer a relatively low-risk exit route if the fit isn’t right. Despite their widespread use, probation periods remain largely […]
