How Probation is Regulated in Vietnam Labor Code?
An agreement between an employee and employer for a probationary position for a predetermined amount of time in accordance with legal requirements is known as probation. Both the employer and the employee should go through a trial period before signing a labor contract to see if they can work together in the long run. The Labor Code and other relevant guidelines should be followed during the probation. The Labor Code 2019 comes into force as of January first, 2020, various new guidelines likewise are given in association with the probation, which each organization ought to audit the matter with labour dispute lawyers in Vietnam for compliance.
Concerning conditions which are allowed to go into a trial contract, this agreement isn't material to the work term which is under multi month. The Labor Code 2012 doesn't need that the trial arrangement should be specified in the work contract. As a result, an employer and employee may negotiate the probation, as well as their respective rights and responsibilities during the probation period. If the parties are in agreement about the probation, they can sign a probation contract. The employer is required to sign an employment contract with the employee if the probation work meets the requirements. It is clear from these provisions that a separate probationary contract between the employer and employee is required.
When the probation period is over and the employee satisfies the employer's recruitment requirements, the labor contract should be signed. Employer and employee may agree on a separate probationary contract or the probation that is outlined in the labor contract, as per the most recent provisions of the Labor Code for 2019. If the labor contract includes a probationary period, the employer is obligated to continue carrying out the current agreement once the employee has met all of the requirements. In that case, a new labor contract must be signed.
Based on the nature and complexity of the job, the Labor Code decided how long the probation period had to be. For positions requiring a college degree or higher, the probationary period was previously limited to no more than 60 days. Currently, executives can extend their probationary period by up to 180 days. The owner of a sole proprietorship, the partner of a partnership company, the chairperson or member of the Board of Members, the President of a company, the President or member of the Board of Directors, the Director/General Director, or the holder of another managerial position prescribed in the company's charter (applicable to the enterprise without state capital) are examples of executives who play a significant part in the business and operation of the businesses.
Another amendment to the cancellation of the probationary contract, the Labor Code 2019 removed the limitation of the right to cancel. Accordingly, during the probationary period, each party has the right to cancel the probationary contract or labor contract entered into without prior notice and compensation. On the contrary, the employee and the employer may cancel the probation if the probationary job does not meet the requirements that the parties have agreed upon under the Labor Code 2012.
The primary purpose of probationary periods is to determine whether an employee and employer are compatible at the outset of an employment relationship. To avoid a potential dispute in Vietnam, businesses as employers must have a clear understanding of the principles of entering into a labor contract and a probationary contract.