new on @ft website Companies will be able to keep new recruits on probation for up to *nine months* in a last-minute concession by the UK government to businesses ahead of legislation this week shaking up employment laws. www.ft.com/content/abb1...

Does that apply to new leaders of political parties too?

Unions won t like it, but it doesn’t seem excessive, although I would have preferred six months.

Universities exploit this be extending probation to 2-3 years. Hope the new legislation applies beyond commercial sector.

So doesn't that render all the 'day 1 protections', on things like maternity pay, meaning less? Whilst you're still on probation, you have no real security, your employer can just get rid of you. Most probations used to be 3-6 ,months before you became permanent.