Is a 90 day probation period normal?

Asked by: Mack Padberg  |  Last update: January 26, 2026
Score: 5/5 (31 votes)

Yes, a 90-day probationary period is very normal and common for new hires, acting as a trial period for both the employer to assess fit and the employee to evaluate the role, often involving closer supervision, specific goals, and sometimes delayed access to full benefits like health insurance. While 30, 60, or 90 days are typical, the main purpose is for mutual evaluation and training before the position becomes permanent.

Is a 90-day probationary period normal?

Is a 90-day probation period mandatory for new hires? No, a 90-day probation period is not legally required but is a common practice for employers to assess new hires.

What does a 3 month probation period mean?

What Are Probationary Periods? A probationary period typically consists of the first three months of employment with a new employer. If the employment contract expressly provides for a probationary period, employers retain the legal discretion to terminate employees.

Can you be let go after 90-day probation period?

In most U.S. states, employment is at-will, which means an employer can terminate an employee at any time, with or without cause, as long as it's not for discriminatory reasons. This could happen during the 90-day probationary period, or any time after the probation as well.

Do you get paid during 90-day probation?

Employees on probation in all states have basic rights from day one. These include minimum wage, sick pay, time off, and protection from discrimination and wrongful dismissal. Even if someone is on probation, they can't be denied these fundamental protections under both federal and state law.

Three Reasons Why Employees Get Fired During Their Probationary Period

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What not to do during probation period?

10 Common Mistakes New Hires Make During Probation And How to Avoid Them

  • The Three Phases of the Probation Period.
  • Mistakes to Watch Out for During the Probation Period and How to Avoid Them.
  • Not Preparing Enough Before Starting.
  • Not Setting Clear Goals or Ignoring Feedback.
  • Taking It Too Slow or Being Overly Relaxed.

What is the 3-month rule in a job?

The "3-month rule" in a job refers to the common probationary period where both employer and employee assess fit, acting as a trial to see if the role and person align before full commitment, often involving learning goals (like a 30-60-90 day plan) and performance reviews, allowing either party to end employment more easily, notes Talent Management Institute (TMI), Frontline Source Group, Indeed.com, and Talent Management Institute (TMI). It's a crucial time for onboarding, understanding expectations, and demonstrating capability, setting the foundation for future growth, says Talent Management Institute (TMI), inTulsa Talent, and Talent Management Institute (TMI). 

How common is it to fail probation?

It's estimated that just under one in five new employees fails to successfully pass their probation period. Rather than this being due to a lack of competence, the main reasons people fail are: An unwillingness to accept feedback. Lack of motivation.

How to survive 90 day probation?

Adalbert Ngongang, PhD

  1. Understand Your Role and Expectations. ...
  2. Show Up Early and Stay Late. ...
  3. Ask Questions and Seek Feedback. ...
  4. Be Proactive and Take Initiative. ...
  5. Stay Organised and Manage Your Time Effectively. ...
  6. Build Strong Relationships with Your Colleagues. ...
  7. Document Your Work and Keep Records.

Does 90 day probation count weekends?

According to the ACA, 90 days is how it sounds: a waiting period is 90 consecutive days (not counted in terms of months), and if it includes weekends and holidays, they count toward the total waiting period.

What is the 90 day probation period clause?

The first 90 days of your employment will be under a probationary period. During this period, both the company and you will determine whether you can perform the requirements of the job you have been assigned to.

Can I be fired during probationary period?

Can an employer terminate your employment for no reason during probation? An employer can terminate your employment without a reason during a probation period if this period is shorter than the minimum employment period. While it's usually optional, most employers provide a reason for the termination.

Can I lose my job during the probation period?

Your first few weeks or months in a job are often called being 'on probation'. Being on probation doesn't give you any specific legal rights. You can be dismissed with 1 week's notice while you're on probation - or longer if your contract says you're entitled to more notice.

Should I be worried about my probation period?

A probation period is effectively the trial period for newly-recruited employees to display their worth in their new workplace. During this period, the employees are exempt from certain contractual terms. Learning to work through this period may help you affirm your position within the organisation.

Can you get fired in the first 90 days?

Example 90-day probationary period policy

As an at-will employer, the company has the right to fire the new hire at any time without cause and likewise, the employee has the freedom to terminate employment during this timeframe.

Can you get fired during a 3 month probation period?

3-month probation period rights Alberta:

Employers don't need to give notice or severance pay if the employment ends within the first 3 months – but only if there's a valid probation clause. You're still protected by human rights laws. You can't be fired for reasons like disability, age, or race.

What is the biggest red flag at work?

The biggest red flags at work often signal a toxic culture and poor leadership, with high turnover, communication breakdowns, lack of trust, blame culture, and unrealistic expectations being major indicators that employees are undervalued, leading to burnout and instability. These issues create an environment where people feel unappreciated, micromanaged, or unsupported, making it difficult to thrive and often prompting good employees to leave.
 

What not to do during probation?

The most common types of probation violations include failure to appear at scheduled court appearances or meetings with probation officers, failure to pay fines or restitution as ordered by the court, and committing new crimes while on probation.

What should I avoid in my first 90 days?

Biggest Mistakes People Make in Their First 90 Days

  • Trying to Do Too Much, Too Soon. ...
  • Failing to Observe, Listen and Learn. ...
  • Overlooking Relationship-Building. ...
  • Ignoring Your Organisation's and Team's Culture and Values. ...
  • Not Seeking Feedback Early On.

Is a 3 month probation period normal?

Common Features of a 3-Month Probation Period

Duration: While 3 months is standard, some companies extend it up to 6 months. Performance Monitoring: Employees are evaluated based on predefined goals, such as meeting productivity standards or adapting to company culture.

What are 5 fair reasons for dismissal?

The five fair reasons for dismissal under UK employment law are Conduct, Capability/Qualifications, Redundancy, Breach of a Statutory Duty/Restriction, and Some Other Substantial Reason (SOSR), each requiring a fair process, like investigation, warnings, and consultation, to avoid unfair dismissal claims. These reasons cover employee behavior, inability to do the job (skill/health), role elimination, legal constraints, and other significant business needs. 

Why do most people fail probation?

There are a wide range of reasons why people fail their probation: absences and poor time management are common complaints, and cultural issues like personality clashes are also amongst the more common problems.

Is it a red flag to leave a job after 3 months?

Employment gaps are common, and having one on your resume isn't usually a cause for concern. However, if it's not the first time you've left a job after only a few months, it might be a red flag for future employers. You may have money problems.

How long is too long to stay in one position?

Staying in one job too long (often considered over 4-5 years in the same role) risks stagnation and missed growth, while staying too short (under 2 years) can look like job-hopping, but the ideal time depends on career stage, industry, and personal goals; aim for 2-4 years to learn, contribute, and move up, reassessing at the 2-year mark for new challenges or promotions, as job changes are now a common way to advance salary and title. 

What do you call the first 90 days of a new job?

For this reason, the first 90 days (and in some cases, longer) is an orientation and review (O & R) period, sometimes referred to as the probationary period. Staff members covered by the O & R Period: All exempt and non-union, non-exempt new hires and transfers*