EU agrees to Brexit delay, removing interview barriers for those with autism, and more top news

The news professionals are talking about now, curated by LinkedIn’s editors. Join the conversation on today's stories in the comments. 

The European Union has agreed to delay Brexit until the end of January, European Council president Donald Tusk has revealed. The UK was due to leave the EU on Thursday, but a law passed by members of parliament last month forced prime minister Boris Johnson to ask for an extension. The news comes as members of parliament prepare to vote on Johnson's proposals for an election on 12 December. Johnson said if MPs agree to an election, he'll give them more time to debate his Brexit deal. ? Here’s what people are saying.

The countdown is on for around 12,000 Asda staff who face the sack if they fail to sign a controversial new contract by the end of this week. Asda declined a last ditch effort from unions to remove the threat of dismissal amid negotiations over the deal, known as Contract 6, under which the GMB union claims workers will lose pay breaks and be forced to work bank holidays. Asda said the contracts will leave 95% of those affected with higher pay at a cost of ￡80m. ? Here’s what people are saying.

H&M CEO Karl-Johan Persson has shared his take on the rise of "consumer shaming" to thwart climate change. Persson says the "stop consuming, stop buying" movements "will have terrible social consequences" – adding that innovation should be the main focus, not a "moratorium on consumption". The ￡1.95tn global fashion industry has come under increased fire for "fast fashion", with the United Nations recently revealing the clothing industry is responsible for about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and consumes more energy than aviation and shipping combined. ? Here’s what people are saying.

You might not be able to control the weather on holidays, but you can now insure against it. Fintech startup Setoo has teamed up with campsite booking service Campings.com, which specialises in sites across Europe, to provide insurance against bad weather. Setoo gives customers the option to cancel their trip 72 hours in advance if rain is forecast, and receive compensation. The company says it's currently in talks with other holiday providers to provide similar innovative coverage, such as no-snow insurance for skiers. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Companies are beginning to make their interview processes easier for people on the autism spectrum. The changes come as companies create employee programs to support neurodiversity, which is the recognition that minds differ and result in a range of strengths and weaknesses. One advocacy group told the BBC that overly-general job descriptions and those that emphasise social skills can be barriers for people on the autism spectrum. Similarly, vague interview questions – like those asking about career aspirations – can be difficult for some people to decipher. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Idea of the Day: As we make our way through our professional lives, errors are inevitable. But Dick’s Sporting Goods CEO Ed Stack reminds us that missteps can ultimately serve as powerful gifts.

“A regret is something that you wish you could take back. A mistake is something that you did that you learned from, that at the end of the day it helped make you who you are today. I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I don’t have a lot of regrets.”

 What's your take on today’s stories? Share your thoughts in the comments.

— Natalie MacDonald