Probation period
Also called: trial period, probationary period
How it works in Europe
The probation length and rules differ by country:
- Germany: up to 6 months by law, 2-week notice from either side.
- France: 2-4 months for non-management, renewable once with strict limits.
- Spain: 2-6 months depending on role.
- UK: not statutory but commonly 3-6 months by contract.
Probation is not a free pass to fire — discrimination law still applies — but it lowers the cost of correcting a hiring mistake.
What probation actually exists for
It exists for the same reason interviews are imperfect: the hiring process can be wrong about fit. Probation gives both sides 90 days of mutual observation before the protections of a full contract apply.
How to use it well
A working probation has a clear 90-day plan and a written check-in at 30, 60, and 90 days. Without those, “probation” is just paperwork — the failure mode is the one most teams hit.
Where Join fits
Hiring-stage notes carry over into the new hire’s record so the probation conversation has the same source material the interview did. See the features page.
