Probation in Germany, the USA, the Netherlands

Описание: Job trial periods look similar in contracts, but they’re handled very differently from country to country.

🇩🇪 Germany

Permanent contracts often come with a 6-month probation, and during this time an employer can fire you with short notice without giving any reason (except for explicitly illegal causes). For many, that’s a long runway of uncertainty — especially since after month 6, full dismissal protection in most cases kicks in and firing becomes much more regulated.

Critics say 6 months is too long for a “trial,” because being let go in month 5 without explanation is fully legal. And unless you have hard evidence, proving discrimination is extremely difficult, making the first months more risky for non-locals or minorities who don’t yet know the system, networks, or local expectations.

🇺🇸 United States

There’s no real “trial”, because the entire system runs on at-will employment. You can be fired anytime, with or without a reason, from day 1 to year 20.

For newcomers, this feels like a permanent trial. Job security depends on your manager, the culture, and the company — not on a fixed legal timeline. Strong protections exist only in specific cases, and proving wrongful termination is tough. But the “rules of the game” are usually well understood by both employers and employees.

🇳🇱 Netherlands

Probation is capped by law at 1–2 months (and for short fixed-term contracts, it might be 0). The rules are tight, written, and transparent. If it’s not working out, Dutch employers usually tell you directly — but once you pass that short window, dismissal becomes much harder for them, giving employees stability faster than in many countries.

For non-locals, this means a very quick judgement period… but also quicker access to real job protection.

This is a general overview. Specific rights can vary by contract, company size, sector, and national or state laws.

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