{"id":30145,"date":"2025-06-03T17:30:48","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T15:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bacciardipartners.it\/?p=30145"},"modified":"2025-08-01T15:26:42","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T13:26:42","slug":"specifying-job-duties-in-the-probationary-agreement-how-to-protect-yourself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mail.bacciardipartners.it\/en\/specifying-job-duties-in-the-probationary-agreement-how-to-protect-yourself\/","title":{"rendered":"Specifying job duties in the probationary agreement: how to protect yourself"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Enzo Bacciardi<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and Michele Sacchi<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0 Employment Law Department<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"The probationary agreement<\/em><\/strong> is a specific clause, typically required to be in writing, that an employer and employee can agree upon, allowing both parties to assess, over a set period, whether it is worthwhile to establish a permanent employment relationship<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

During this period, the employer has the opportunity to calmly evaluate the employee\u2019s skills and suitability, while the employee can assess whether the job actually meets their initial expectations.<\/p>\n

This agreement allows either part to terminate the contract<\/strong> without justification, compensation, or notice, unless a minimum trial period is specified. In that case, termination cannot occur before that period has elapsed.<\/p>\n

Special attention must be paid to clearly specifying the duties<\/strong> covered by the probationary period\u2014that is, the tasks that will typically be assigned to the employee if the employment relationship continues. These duties should be expressly stated in the contract or in an annex such as a job description. If such clear specification is lacking and the employer terminates the contract citing “failure to pass the probationary period,” the employee may bring legal action to challenge the validity of the probationary agreement.<\/p>\n

If the Labor Judge finds that the duties were either not indicated or were too vague, meaning the employee was not given a genuine opportunity to demonstrate their abilities, the probationary agreement may be declared null and void<\/strong>. The practical consequence would be the reinstatement of the employment relationship.<\/p>\n

According to some rulings by the Italian Court of Cassation, it is acceptable to refer to the national collective agreement to define the assigned duties, provided<\/em> that the job classification descriptions for the relevant levels are specific enough to clearly identify the duties being tested (see: Cass. civ., Employment Section, 20\/05\/2009, no. 11722; Cass. civ., Employment Section, 09\/06\/2006, no. 13455).<\/p>\n

However, given the interpretative uncertainty surrounding this matter and the existence of lower court rulings that take a different stance (e.g., Turin Court), it is good practice to draft the probationary clause with great care<\/strong>, tailored to each individual case and job profile. This activity, aimed at minimizing litigation risk, is one that our Employment Law Department<\/a>\u00a0can carry out in close collaboration with you.<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Enzo Bacciardi\u00a0and Michele Sacchi\u00a0–\u00a0 Employment Law Department The probationary agreement is a specific clause, typically required to be in writing, that an employer and employee can agree upon, allowing both parties to assess, over a set period, whether it is worthwhile to establish a permanent employment relationship.   During this period, the employer has […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":30321,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[217],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSpecifying job duties in probationary agreements: protect yourself<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The probationary agreement is a specific clause, typically required to be in writing, that an employer and employee can agree upon\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link 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