When you first enter employment with a new employer, you may have been made aware of a probation period. This period should be detailed in your employment contract and is the time set out by an employer to determine if you are a good fit. During this time, an employer may terminate your employment without providing notice or pay in lieu of notice. In most cases, this period of time is three months, and this must be writing in your employment contract to be valid. As an employee, you agree to the probationary period when you sign your employment contract and begin employment.