Temp contract?

[tapmadi]

i was going to offer a new employee a contract but i wanted to do it as a trial basis for 3 months and if he isnt right for the job i can dismiss him, what are my options -- do i have to get him to sign a contract? is ti okay legally to say the initial period of emplyemtn is a trial basis of 3 months (is this different to a probabtion)

[antiguru]

what you're talking about is a probationary period. let's be clear about a contract though.... he turns up, you pay him. bingo. contract in place from day one. look at http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/index.htm for your legal obligation regarding written particulars.

You�ll need to put your intention in writing to the candidate at the job offer stage so he can reject if he wishes. A good way to phrase it would be �This offer is made subject to a 3 month probationary period during which time your performance will be regularly assessed and discussed with you. During this time your notice period is one week and we reserve the right to terminate your employment without following full disciplinary procedures�.

The employee is still entitled to notice, so you�ll need to keep an eye on the calendar and serve notice if it�s not working out. Or you can extend the period, although not indefinitely. Write to him at the end to say its ended.

But communicate with the employee during the period. Otherwise it�s not fair and you�ll be just another crap employer�.

[tapmadi]

if i give him a weeks notice, then i just have to pay him for the end of the week so if i sack him on friday do i have to give him one weeks pay ??

[antiguru]

if you serve him notice to end his employment within the probationary period on a friday you must pay him until the end of the following friday whether you require him to work it or not.

[allen63b]

You can give someone a permanent contract and still sack them if not up to standard after a three month trial.

You can even extend the three month trial for another three months again and keep doing so but just make sure you document everything and have a job chat with them everytime you have an issue with their work, don't just sack them when the three months are up, if you haven't given them sufficient time to improve.

All companies use this type of contract and usually end up giving the person the job regardless of how well they've done and this has always baffled me

[tomestone]

any employeer can sack someone at anytime,the question is has it been done fairly or unfairly,but all employees have the right to representation from day one.this avenue will answer both sides questions at any stage.