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Preloaded policy

Introductory / Probationary Period Policy template

Defines an introductory period for orientation and mutual evaluation without disturbing at-will employment.

Legal basis
  • At-will doctrine in all states except Montana (post-probation just-cause under WDFEA)
  • benefit-plan terms
  • state final-pay rules
Last reviewed April 2026. Guidance, not legal advice.

What the policy covers

  1. 1. PURPOSE
    To provide a defined introductory period during which new hires complete orientation, are trained, and have early performance and fit assessed.
  2. 2. DURATION
    The standard introductory period is … days from the start date.
  3. 3. AT-WILL CONTEXT
    Completion of the introductory period does not change the at-will nature of employment: employment can be terminated at any time, before, during, or after the introductory period,
  4. 4. REVIEWS
    A 30-day check-in and an end-of-period review are standard.
  5. 5. BENEFITS
    Benefit eligibility follows the terms of each plan.
  6. 6. STATE LEAVE INTERACTION
    Some state and local sick-leave / PTO laws require accrual and use from the date of hire regardless of any introductory period.
  7. 7. SEPARATION DURING INTRODUCTORY PERIOD
    Separation during the introductory period is documented like any other separation.

Who needs it

Any employer running schedule, leave and the day-to-day of employing people. These set out the rules once so nobody argues about them twice.

Questions people ask

Is a introductory / probationary period policy a legal requirement?

It rests on At-will doctrine in all states except Montana (post-probation just-cause under WDFEA) and benefit-plan terms and state final-pay rules. Some policies must be written down once a business reaches a certain size or does certain work; others are simply how a tribunal, an inspector or an auditor expects to see that you have thought about it. A clear, dated, signed policy is the evidence either way. Guidance, not legal advice.

Can I change it to suit how we work?

Yes. Inside Work-Lynx it is a starting point: put your company name in, adjust the arrangements to what you actually do, set the review date and publish it. Staff read and acknowledge it on their phones, and you can see who has not.

Is it up to date?

Last reviewed April 2026. The pack is updated when the law moves, and every policy carries a review date so it does not quietly go stale.

How do I get it?

It is preloaded in Work-Lynx with the other 28 policies for the US. Work-Lynx is $3 plus $1.25 per employee, 14 days free, no card, and what you see on the pricing page is the bill.

Who is it for?

Any employer running schedule, leave and the day-to-day of employing people. These set out the rules once so nobody argues about them twice.

All 29 US policies, $3 a month

This policy and 28 others are already in Work-Lynx, alongside GPS clock-in, schedules, timesheets, PTO and an employment-question advisor. $3 base plus $1.25 per employee a month. 14 days free, no card, no sales call.

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