What is a probation period?

How long probation can last

The contract sets the length, and the law may cap it. Under the UAE Labour Law, probation may last at most six months from the start of work, may be used only once with the same employer, and counts towards the worker’s length of service when it ends in confirmation. The employer ends it by giving at least 14 days’ written notice.

A worker leaving during probation has notice to give as well: one month when moving to another employer in the UAE, and 14 days when leaving the country. After probation, the ordinary notice period in the contract applies.

Running the review

Probation is only useful if someone decides before it runs out. A review a few weeks before the end date gives the manager time to confirm, extend where the rules allow, or end the contract with the notice the law requires. A review held after the date has passed often leaves only one option.

The evaluation itself is best done on a fixed form — goals met, conduct, the manager’s recommendation — so two people on probation at the same time are judged the same way, and so the record survives if the decision is questioned later.

Probation reviews in HRMS

HRMS workflows keep a probation due list — due, overdue and upcoming reviews — and send each evaluation to the reporting manager as a task with its form. HR confirms or extends from the list, the lead time for raising a review is a setting, and the completed evaluation stays on the employee’s profile.