Probation isn't a legal requirement. It's a contractual trial period where you can use shorter notice periods (typically one week instead of a month) and may withhold contractual benefits, like private healthcare, depending on your contract terms.   Your new employee still has statutory rights from day one: minimum wage, holiday pay and protection from discrimination. These apply regardless of probation.

Underperformance costs your business more than you think. It's not just about one person missing targets. It's the knock-on effect across your team, the projects that slip, the clients who notice, and the time you spend fixing problems instead of growing your business. The key is acting early and looking at the whole picture. This guide shows you how to spot underperformance before it escalates, understand what's really causing it and build systems that prevent it from hap

How to handle underperformance in your business Your best team member has started letting you down. They used to be reliable, but now...