Work & employment
Can my boss fire me in a 90-day trial period?
Trial periods are allowed only for new employees in businesses under a size threshold — strict rules apply; check Employment NZ.
A trial period lets an employer dismiss a new employee within 90 days without a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal — but only when the law allows it, the agreement is written correctly, and the employee has never worked for that employer before.
Business size limits and procedural fairness still matter. If you think a trial period was invalid, Employment New Zealand explains how to raise a problem. Keep your agreement and any letters you received.
Even during a trial, other rights (like minimum wage and holidays) still apply. Educational signposting only.
Official resources
Always confirm details on the official site — laws and processes can change.
Educational signposting only from the Resilience Programme. Not legal, financial, or medical advice. Updated 2026-07-10.