Probationary employment: six months, then regular

Labor Code, Art. 281: probationary employment shall not exceed six months from the date you started working, unless an apprenticeship agreement sets a longer period.

During probation you can be terminated for a just cause, or if you fail to qualify under reasonable standards made known to you when you were engaged. An employee allowed to work after the probationary period is considered a regular employee.

Example

Illustrative example only. Started working May 4, 2026. Six months end on November 3, 2026. Still at work on November 9? Under Art. 281, that's a regular employee.

⚠️ Tandaan

The standards must be made known at the time of engagement. Keep your contract and any written standards. Employers: record the start date on day one.

Kung probationary ka

• ☐ Find your exact start date
• ☐ Ask for the regularization standards in writing
• ☐ Mark the end of month six
• ☐ Keep your contract and evaluations

Employee information sheet, handa na: naka-record ang start date 👇

Basis: P.D. 442 (Labor Code), Art. 281, as numbered on Lawphil.