AZE.US
Employers in Azerbaijan commonly introduce probation periods when hiring new staff, using the trial phase to assess professional skills, job performance, and overall suitability for a position.
According to HR specialist Aiten Shykhaliyeva, the probation period begins on the first day a labor contract takes effect and includes only the time actually worked. Periods of illness, temporary incapacity, or other justified absences are not counted. During probation, employees retain full salary payments and the time is included in official work experience.
The maximum probation period is generally limited to three months. However, legal experts note that in practice longer trial terms are sometimes proposed, despite statutory limits.
Lawyer Narmin Zulfugarli emphasized that any probation clause must be explicitly stated in the labor contract. If no such provision is included, the employee is considered hired without probation.
Under Article 52 of Azerbaijan’s Labor Code, contracts lasting up to six months may include a probation period of no more than two weeks. In other cases, the ceiling remains three months.
The law also prohibits probation for certain categories, including individuals under 18, pregnant women, parents of young children, recent graduates hired in their specialty, and employees on very short-term contracts.
If an employer terminates a contract during probation in violation of labor legislation, responsible officials may face fines ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 manats.