Include a probationary period clause in an employment contract

Key points

Including a probationary period clause in an employment contract can help both the new employee and the employer to focus on what needs to be done to ensure that the employee performs well in the role.
From 6 April 2020, the written statement of terms and conditions of employment must include any probationary period, its length and any conditions attached to it. The appropriate length will depend on factors such as the seniority of the employee.
If the employer intends that probationary employees will not have certain contractual rights or that certain policies will not apply during the probationary period, it should include this in the clause.