This course provides managers and HR professionals with a practical and legally grounded understanding of how to manage probationary periods effectively in the UK. It covers the purpose and structure of probation, setting clear expectations, monitoring and managing performance, conducting fair and well-documented reviews, and making lawful decisions to confirm, extend, or end employment. The course places particular emphasis on managing underperformance and dismissal during probation, including the legal risks that arise from discrimination, automatically unfair dismissal, and the reduced qualifying period for unfair dismissal under the Employment Rights Act 2025. By completing this course, participants will be equipped to manage probation in a structured, fair, and defensible way, supporting employee success while minimising legal and organisational risk.