Can they dismiss me in my probation period without a reason?
Yes — and they need give no reason at all. A probation period may be agreed for at most 3 months (longer for managerial roles) and must be agreed in writing, failing which it is invalid. It must be set out in the employment contract concluded before the employment begins — it cannot be added afterwards. During probation, either party may end the employment, for any reason or with no reason given. The one formal condition: the written notification must be served on the other party at least 3 days before the day the employment is to end. Probation cannot be extended by agreement — it is extended only by one day for each shift not worked because of an obstacle on your side.
📋 The rules
- At most 3 months; longer for managerial roles
- It must be in writing, or it is invalid
- Agreed before the employment begins
- Either side may end it — with no reason given
- Notification must be served at least 3 days ahead
🔓 Exceptions
- Probation cannot be extended by agreement; only unworked shifts extend it
- A pregnant woman, a mother up to 9 months after birth, a breastfeeding woman and a man on paternity leave have special protection
- For them, termination is possible only in writing, exceptionally, and with proper reasons given
⚠️ Penalties & fines
In probation you have the weakest protection in the whole of employment law — a fact that catches many people out only once it is too late. Employment can be ended without a reason, without a notice period and without severance. In practice, only a formal defect can be challenged: a probation period agreed orally or after the event is invalid, as is a termination served later than 3 days ahead. Special protection covers a pregnant woman, a mother up to the end of the 9th month after birth, a breastfeeding woman and a man on paternity leave: for them, termination is possible only in writing, only exceptionally, on grounds unconnected with pregnancy or childcare — and it must be properly reasoned in writing.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
How long can a probation period be?
At most three months, and longer for managerial employees. It must be agreed in writing and in the employment contract concluded before the employment begins — it cannot be added later.
Can they dismiss me without a reason?
Yes. During probation either party can end the employment, for any reason or with no reason given at all. You get neither a notice period nor severance pay.
Do they have to warn me in advance?
Yes. Written notification of termination must be served on the other party at least three days before the day the employment is to end. Missing that deadline is a formal defect.
Can the probation period be extended?
Not by agreement. It is extended only automatically, by one day for each shift you did not work because of an obstacle on your side — sickness, for instance.
Is there protection for pregnant employees?
Yes, special protection. For a pregnant woman, a mother up to the end of the ninth month after birth, a breastfeeding woman and a man on paternity leave, termination is possible only in writing, exceptionally, and on grounds unconnected with pregnancy or childcare.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “probation period 3 months slovakia”
- “dismissal in probation without reason”
- “three days notice probation slovakia”
- “extending the probation period”
- “pregnant employee probation protection”
- “severance during probation slovakia”