Telling a worker they are on probation can mean 3 things:
1. the boss doesn't like their work and is thinking about firing them;
2. they are starting a new job and can't appeal if they are fired during their probation period (but will have rights afterward);
3. they're starting a new job but won't have job protection even after the probation period.

Union Workers

There are two kinds of probation. Union contracts usually set a probation period when new employees are being evaluated. During the probation period, workers are usually NOT protected from being fired. Some benefits don't start until you become permanent. Probationary workers have all the other rights in the contract but they may not feel confident exercising their rights, when they can still be fired without protection.

Permanent employees who are put on probation as part of discipline, attendance, or poor performance are NOT the "probationary" workers being talked about in the contract. They have all the rights under the union contract -- most importantly the right to appeal discipline. The only exception, is when the worker has made a "last chance agreement" which says that if he does something one more time, he will be fired (this is sometimes negotiated to give a worker one more chance, instead of firing him immediately).

Non-Union Workers

Sometimes, non-union employers also say that new workers are on probation, but since non-union workers don't have job protection even after probation, it doesn't really matter. A small number of workers have rights because they have an employment contract with their boss.

If you are told you are on probation because of problems at work, you are being disciplined. You need to understand your rights in any discipline procedure at your work. If you have a union, you have important rights when you are disciplined. Talk to a shop steward and read your contract right away. Some public sector workers have rights under civil service rules.

Probationary workers may not have rights to Family Medical Leave, vesting for pension, and other things which are based on having worked a certain amount of time. You may have rights to unemployment benefits if you earned quarters at another job before the one where you are probationary.