Probation Period

What is a Probation Period?

A probation period is the assessment stage where the organisation evaluates a new employee’s skills, performance, and assimilation into the company over a clearly defined timeframe. This period usually lasts between three to six months and is considered one of the most important phases in an organisation's employee lifecycle management strategies.

HR departments monitor whether new hires meet the expectations set in the position description before being granted a permanent employment status.

Why do companies use probation periods?

Companies adopt probation periods as a strategy for the mutual benefit of the organisation and the employee. It allows employers to verify whether the person can perform the requisite duties while at the same time giving the new employee time to familiarise themselves with the workplace.

This phase enhances talent management through highlighting training needs or finding incompatibilities that can assist in making those employment decisions earlier in the relationship, thus reducing long-term employee turnover.

How does a probation period work?

During the evaluation period, the new hires undergo performance evaluations. They are monitored by their superiors, provided feedback about work quality, policy adherence, and assimilation into the team dynamics.

Once performance expectations are met, employees are elevated to permanent employee status. If the expectations, however, are unmet, the HR departments, with supporting documentation from the HRMS, may decide to extend the probation duration or terminate the employment.

What are the key features of a probation period?

• Defined duration: Generally ranges from three to six months. This is subject to the requirements of the position.
• Ongoing evaluation: Assessment progress is done periodically.
• Well-established objectives: Objectives and goals relevant to the task are assigned as per the organisation’s standards.

How does the probation period impact employees and organisations?

For employees, probation periods clarify job expectations and offer opportunities for growth through feedback. For organisations, they speed up the onboarding process and ensure workforce alignment with strategic objectives.

Integrating probation data into HRMS further enhances transparency and equips the HR team to make informed decisions about retention or role adjustments.