The meaning of probation

The Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners defines probation as “a period of time during which someone who has been given a new job is watched to see whether they can do the job well and stay in the position”.

Put in another way, the purpose of probation is to give the employer an opportunity to evaluate the employee’s suitability before confirming him or her to a permanent post in the organisation.

Section 12(5) of the Labour Act (Chapter 28:01) stipulates a single, written, non-renewable probationary period of one day for casuals and seasonal workers and three months in any other case.

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