Employment & HR

Probationary Period

An initial period during which an employer may assess suitability, sometimes with reduced notice obligations.

Probation is not automatic — it must be set out in the employment agreement. Even during probation, statutory minimums still apply once the relevant service threshold is reached, and the employer must still assess the employee fairly.

Why it matters: assuming a probationary employee can be dismissed with no obligation at all is a common and costly error.

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Editorial status: Lawkin Editorial — pending independent legal review.

Probationary Period — Canadian legal glossary | Lawkin — Lawkin