During hiring, employers and employees may agree on a probationary period to determine whether the worker is competent for the job and whether the employee is satisfied with the assigned duties. This mutually agreed period — called the probationary period — removes indemnity obligations for both parties and grants both sides the right to terminate the contract during that time.
The initial probation agreement cannot legally exceed two months. There is no separate “insurance waiting period”; the employer is required to submit the social security registration on the day the employee is hired. The social security institution does not recognize a separate probationary time frame, so the employer must insure the employee during the probationary period.
Is Salary Paid During the Probationary Period?
Yes. It is mandatory to pay the agreed salary during the probationary period. Some employers may try to apply a lower salary during probation and pay social security premiums calculated on the minimum wage; while such agreements can be negotiated, unpaid work or work without social security is unacceptable and illegal.
If an employer hires you with an offer that excludes salary or social security, you can assert your legal rights. You may file a complaint with the Social Security Institution. If the employer fails to register the employee, they may face fines for employing uninsured workers and lose eligibility for government social security premium incentives for one year.
You should accept the employment contract and probation clause with full awareness of your rights. In the private sector, some employers may propose extending the probation to four months or offering a lower salary; while parties can agree to certain terms, an extended probation beyond the legal limit is not valid.
The employee has the right to resign before the end of a two-month probationary period. If the employer does not assign a role consistent with the agreed job description, or if the employee believes their skills are not suitable for the position, or if the workplace environment is not appropriate, the employee can lawfully and easily exercise the right to resign without compensation. The same rights apply to the employer: if the employee does not meet the required skills or does not fit the work environment, the employer may terminate the employment contract without compensation during the probationary period.