This summary uses information on employers from the 2012 National Survey of Employers (NSE) and recent qualitative interviews, and data on employees from the 2012 Survey of Working Life (SoWL). The NSE data focuses on employers who had hired new staff in the 12 months preceding the survey. The SoWL data focuses on employees who had started their current main job in the 12 months preceding the survey. Note that all survey estimates are subject to sampling error.
In 2012:
69,000 employers used trial periods for new staff
131,100 employees started their current main job on a trial period
Trial periods are used by employers to check the skills and fit of new employees. They are seen by many employers as a way of reducing risks around hiring. However some employers choose not to use them.
There was a higher likelihood of starting on a trial period for employees who:
are recent migrants
have vocational or trade qualifications
work in the construction, wholesale trade, and retail trade and hospitality industries
are technicians and trade workers, sales workers, and managers.