I think you’re right about the distinction between wrongful and unfair dismissal, but if I understand Ontario common law correctly, even in cases where the dismissal during probation is not illegal, and even when you have it in writing that the candidate can be dismissed for any or no reason, you may find yourself on the wrong side of a wrongful dismissal judgment and forced to pony up money.
It’s probably easier to structure such a thing as contract-to-permanent, and I suspect this is why there are a lot of such contracts around. Or at least, I have seen a number of such things in Ontario.
And now the counter-example: My brother is the principal Tuba with the National Arts Centre Orchestra. He had to win multiple auditions, resulting in two finalists being selected. Each of them then went and rehearsed and played a concert with the orchestra, they spent some weeks on contract, expenses and compensation paid. They selected my brother.
Full-time job? Nope! He then went on probation, either for a full year or two, I can’t remember. I’m sure he’d laugh at my worrying about 90 day probationary periods.
It’s probably easier to structure such a thing as contract-to-permanent, and I suspect this is why there are a lot of such contracts around. Or at least, I have seen a number of such things in Ontario.
And now the counter-example: My brother is the principal Tuba with the National Arts Centre Orchestra. He had to win multiple auditions, resulting in two finalists being selected. Each of them then went and rehearsed and played a concert with the orchestra, they spent some weeks on contract, expenses and compensation paid. They selected my brother.
Full-time job? Nope! He then went on probation, either for a full year or two, I can’t remember. I’m sure he’d laugh at my worrying about 90 day probationary periods.