The situation
An employee appointed to a client-facing role was not meeting expectations at the end of their three-month probation period.
Why it was difficult
Owners often assume probation means no risk. It does not. A poorly handled probation exit can still lead to claims, particularly if discrimination is alleged.
What Samantha did
- Confirmed the concerns were genuine, evidenced and fairly assessed
- Followed a clear probation process rather than an abrupt end
- Communicated honestly with the employee throughout
- Documented the decision properly
What it could have cost
A discrimination claim, which needs no length of service at all, from an exit the owner assumed was risk-free because it was probation.
The outcome
Employment ended fairly during probation, correctly handled, with no challenge raised.
Clean exit. Nothing raised.
What this means for you
Probation is not a free pass. A short, fair process is all it takes to end things cleanly and safely.
Related support
Start with a Situation Check →Anonymised. Sector, names and identifying details have been removed or changed. Outcomes reflect the specific circumstances of each case and are not a guarantee of any particular result.