[Pistos2]

I thought it was very common practice to have a [paid] probation period, where the company is free to keep someone or let them go. Usually the period is less than 6 months. That seems a sensible approach to making sure your hiring decision was good or not.

[philwelch]

Under US law (in most states), the company is free to let someone go at any time barring a specific contract to the contrary. I guess if you tell someone the first n months are a probationary period, they'll have their feelings less hurt if they're fired during that period.