What is a 90-day trial period and can I challenge a dismissal during it?

A trial period allows an employer to dismiss an employee within the first 90 days without the employee being able to bring a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal, but only if the arrangement complies with the Employment Relations Act 2000. The trial provision must be in your written employment agreement, and the agreement must be signed before you begin work. If the trial clause was not properly included or not agreed before you started, the trial can be invalid and you may be able to raise a personal grievance. You can still raise a grievance for other reasons, such as discrimination, and you are entitled to notice of the termination as required by the agreement. Request a copy of your signed agreement and the date you signed it, and take advice quickly, as the 90-day time limit applies to raise a grievance.