Exclusive with @Smyth_Chris More than seven million people will gain rights to claim sick pay, ­maternity pay and protection against unfair ­dismissal from their first day in the job under sweeping new laws unveiled on Thursday They include: * A universal entitlement to sick pay for all workers from the first day they are ill. At present, people are not entitled to sick pay until the fourth day of illness, with those who earn less than £123 a week unable to claim at all * Those earning below the £123 threshold will get a lower rate of sick pay to avoid perverse incentives * Women will be entitled to apply for maternity pay from their first day in the job, rather than waiting six months. Fathers get more rights to paternity pay * Probation periods, which can last two years at present, will be shortened to six months and staff will get protection against unfair dismissal from their first day on the job * Bosses will retain the power to sack unsatisfactory workers during probation periods without a full performance management process * Labour has dropped plans for a statutory right to disconnect - it will be advisory instead thetimes.com/article/6e0e1b4…