A "probationary period" is a common term used in employment contracts to refer to a trial period for a new employee where their skills, behavior and work ethics are evaluated before being permanently hired. However, there are many synonyms for this term that can be used to describe this initial phase of employment. Some of these synonyms include "trial period," "introductory period," "assessment period," "evaluation period," "test period," "incubation period," "screening period," and "observation period." These terms are all synonymous with "probationary period," and they all represent a temporary phase of employment where the employee is being assessed by the employer before gaining full-time employment status.