Probationary Periods - To Extend or to Dismiss? How Do I Handle It?

“We have an employee who has recently joined the business, unfortunately, things are not working out as we had hoped. The employee is still in their probationary period, can we extend their probationary period, or ultimately dismiss them if their performance does not improve? How do we handle this?”

Many employers will incorporate a probationary period into the contract of employment to monitor and assess an employee’s performance and suitability to the role in the initial stages of their employment. Such periods can vary in length, with the duration depending on the requirements and responsibilities of the job and how long the employer requires to properly assess performance and conduct