Probation is mostly about notice periods, but remotely it functions as a trust-building window.
What it changes
Shorter notice, sometimes a week rather than a month. Occasionally benefits start after it. Rarely, pay increases on completion — check whether the advertised salary is the post-probation figure.
Passing it remotely
Managers who cannot see you rely on what you tell them. A short written weekly update — what you did, what is next, what is blocked — is the single highest-return habit in the first three months.
Ask for a mid-point review
Requesting feedback at week six rather than waiting for the end gives you time to correct anything. It also signals seriousness.
Common questions
Can I be dismissed easily during probation?
Usually with shorter notice, yes. The bar is lower, which is the point of the period.
Should I take leave during probation?
Check the contract. Many allow it; some restrict it. Ask rather than assume.