Most companies have some sort of probationary period for new employees and during this period the new employees are not entitled to certain items like holiday pay. The norm seems to be anywhere from three to six months of probationary time after which employees qualify for paid holidays, company 401K plan (if there is one), paid accrued vacation time and other items like that. The best way to protect yourself and also make it obvious to your employees is to publish and stick to a written policy on this issue. The best guiding principle is to "be fair, but be realistic."

