Since 2023, businesses of all sizes have been able to set “trial periods” for new employees of up to 90 days. The goal was to “encourage… businesses to give a new employee a go and to take on new employees”. During a trial period, an employee can be dismissed by being given the notice specified in their employment agreement.

If you are dismissed during a trial period, you need professional advice.

Many employment agreements contain a probationary period. This is not the same as a trial period. The purpose of a probation period is to allow the employer to determine if a person is suitable for a particular job and to allow time for any problems, such as missing skills or unsuitable practices, to be set right.

There is no automatic right of an employer to dismiss an employee at the end of a probationary period.