Trial Period
Specify exact start and end dates or duration in days/weeks/months and any extension conditions; tie evaluation timing to these dates.
A clear trial contract reduces onboarding disputes, documents evaluation criteria, and protects both parties by setting timelines and expectations in writing.
Organizations and individuals who commonly prepare or sign Employment Trial Contracts include HR teams and hiring managers, plus contractors in temp-to-hire arrangements.
These agreements are useful across industries and help evidence consistent treatment, performance review timing, and lawful termination procedures.
Specify exact start and end dates or duration in days/weeks/months and any extension conditions; tie evaluation timing to these dates.
State pay rate, overtime rules if applicable, pay schedule, and benefits eligibility during trial to avoid wage disputes.
List objective metrics, review dates, and the person conducting evaluations so conversion decisions are transparent and supportable.
Clarify at-will status or conditional termination procedures, notice requirements, and any severance or return-of-property obligations.
Include IP and confidentiality language where appropriate to protect trade secrets and sensitive information during and after the trial.
Designate authorized signers, include signature dates, and state that electronic signatures are accepted if both parties consent.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signer Authentication | Email link or SMS code for signer verification |
| Field Types | Signature, date, initials, text, and checkbox fields |
| Conditional Logic | Show conversion clauses only when applicable |
| Reminders & Deadlines | Auto-reminders and expiry for unsigned documents |
Ensure your e-signature platform supports secure authentication, tamper-evident signed PDFs, and archival of audit trails.
Confirm the platform meets your compliance needs (encryption, audit trail retention) and that authorized personnel can access records for audits.
Date work begins; triggers pay and benefits timelines
Typically halfway through the trial period
Occurs on or before the trial end date
Complete within first pay period after start
Keep executed copy per retention policy
Contract and start date provided to candidate
Employee starts work and onboarding tasks begin
Supervisor documents progress and issues feedback
Convert, extend, or terminate before trial end
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | Yes, 7-day trial | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor |
| Bulk Send | Yes (Premium) | Yes (paid tiers) | Yes (paid tiers) | Yes (paid tiers) | Yes (paid tiers) |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | No cap typically | No cap typically | No cap typically |
Human resources staff typically prepare the template, confirm compensation and benefits language, and retain the executed contract in the personnel file for regulatory compliance and audit support.
The hiring manager confirms role responsibilities and performance criteria, conducts reviews during the trial, and approves conversion or termination decisions based on documented evaluations.
A small portfolio firm used a 90-day trial to standardize onboarding
A property management firm used e-signatures for trial contractors