{"id":32576,"date":"2023-12-05T05:03:25","date_gmt":"2023-12-05T05:03:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hradev.connexionpoint.com.au\/?p=32576"},"modified":"2024-01-11T12:58:50","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T01:58:50","slug":"probationary-periods-v-minimum-employment-periods-what-is-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hradev.connexionpoint.com.au\/?p=32576","title":{"rendered":"Probationary Periods v Minimum Employment Periods \u2013 What is the difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"32576\" class=\"elementor elementor-32576\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e0505bf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e0505bf\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-28ee58a\" data-id=\"28ee58a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da3bcbf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"da3bcbf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.22.0 - 26-06-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top:6.0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; color: var( --e-global-color-b4968c6 ); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5);\">In providing support and&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; color: var( --e-global-color-b4968c6 ); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5);\">assistance to our clients, we commonly find that although employers are&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; color: var( --e-global-color-b4968c6 ); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5);\">familiar with the term &#8216;probation period&#8217;, there is less awareness of the Fair&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; color: var( --e-global-color-b4968c6 ); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5);\">Work Minimum Employment Period, what it is and how the two periods differ.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">In this article, we provide clarification regarding the two terms and how they operate in practice,<br>\nparticularly as the distinction between the two can become blurred.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top:6.0pt\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">Fair Work Minimum Employment Period or \u2018Qualifying Period\u2019<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">The Fair Work Act 2009 provides that to be eligible to make an unfair dismissal claim against an<br>\nemployer, a dismissed employee must have completed a \u201cminimum employment period\u201d of <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm 13.5pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol;\">\u00b7<span style=\"font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">6 months if the employer employs 15 or more employees, or&nbsp;<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm 13.5pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol;\">\u00b7<span style=\"font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">12 months if the employer employs fewer than 15 employees.&nbsp; &nbsp;<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">The Fair Work minimum employment period will apply to an employee, irrespective of whether it is detailed within an employment contract.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">The minimum employment period operates to provide an employer with an opportunity to terminate the employment of an employee during the applicable period without risking the<br>\npotential consequences of an unfair dismissal claim.&nbsp;However, once an employee has completed the applicable minimum qualifying period of 6 or 12 months, they will receive full protections and will have the right to make an unfair dismissal claim should their employment be terminated.&nbsp;&nbsp;As<br>\nsuch, once the minimum employment period has been completed, it will be essential that an employer follow a fair and reasonable dismissal process and have a genuine, justifiable reason prior to termination of employment occurring.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top:6.0pt\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">Probationary Periods<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">In comparison, Probationary periods are a contractual provision that are detailed in an employment agreement. Probationary periods are not provided for or prescribed by the Fair Work Act 2009.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">A probationary period is intended to allow both the employer and the employee with the opportunity to assess each other, and the role.&nbsp; In circumstances where it is determined that an employee is not suited to a particular position or the business, termination of employment within the probationary period may occur.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">Probationary periods are commonly set for a shorter period than the minimum employment period, for example 3 months. Where provided for in the employment contract, the probationary period may be extended for a further period in circumstances where an employer requires more time to assess the suitability of the employee.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">However, if the probationary period length was to exceed:<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm 13.5pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol;\">\u00b7<span style=\"font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">6 months if the employer employs 15 or more employees,<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm 13.5pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol;\">\u00b7<span style=\"font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">12 months if the employer employs fewer than 15 employees.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">the application of the probationary period would not be enforceable, and no advantage would be<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;color:black\"> <\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">provided to the employer as the employee would receive the benefit of unfair dismissal protections. <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">Probationary periods set out in a common law employment contract cannot override the provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 and both periods operate independently.&nbsp; As such, the minimum employment period will override the probationary period, for example, if an employee has passed their three-month probation, but are subsequently dismissed after five months employment, they&nbsp;would not qualify for&nbsp;unfair dismissal<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat;\">&nbsp;protections.<span style=\"background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">To maximise the effectiveness of a probationary period, it is recommended that employers set their probationary periods to be for a shorter period than the applicable minimum employment period. Doing so will enable the employer to ensure that an assessment is undertaken of the employee\u2019s performance and suitability for the role prior to the qualifying period having been completed.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">We further recommend that employers:<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm 13.5pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol;\">\u00b7<span style=\"font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">Actively take steps to monitor, review and assess an employee\u2019s performance well before the completion of the qualifying period &#8211; making decisions about the employee\u2019s suitability should not be left until the last minute.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm 13.5pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol;\">\u00b7<span style=\"font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">Monitor and take notice of potential warning signs during the qualifying period. Early warning signs should not be ignored.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm 13.5pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol;\">\u00b7<span style=\"font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">Ensure that where employment is terminated prior to the completion of the minimum employment period, the employee is provided with the required period of notice (or payment in lieu) and that any accrued annual leave entitlements are paid.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">It is important to note that while unfair dismissal provisions will not apply to an employee during the minimum employment period, the employee will still be entitled to general protection provisions. An employee who is dismissed prior to having completed their minimum employment period are not prevented from bringing an \u201cadverse action\u201d claim against an employer under the Fair Work Act 2009 should their termination result from a discriminatory matter.&nbsp; Care must be taken by an employer to ensure that the reason for the termination is not a prohibited or discriminatory reason so as to minimise of such a claim. <o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top:6.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:0cm;line-height:normal\">\n<\/p><p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 13.5pt 0cm; line-height: 15pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\"><i><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Montserrat; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;\">Information in HR Advice Online guides and blog posts is meant purely for educational discussion of human resources issues. It contains only general information about human resources matters and due to factors such as government legislation changes, may not be up-to-date at the time of reading. It is not legal advice and should not be treated as such.<o:p><\/o:p><\/span><\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In providing support and&nbsp;assistance to our clients, we commonly find that although employers are&nbsp;familiar with the term &#8216;probation period&#8217;, there is less awareness of the Fair&nbsp;Work Minimum Employment Period, what it is and how the two periods differ. In this article, we provide clarification regarding the two terms and how they operate in practice, particularly [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":32581,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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