Hmm, Ali, he's right to be unsure of that - there is every chance that they will be good to their word etc, but equally, as you say, they could well be pulling a fast one and any job move is such a big decision that you want to know precisely where you stand!
They may be able to give some sort of commitment, eg in a letter, that such and such will be reviewed after one year employed or something? If it was mentioned and was a real incentive to take the job etc, then I don't think it is unreasonable to ask them to clarify/set it out so he knows exactly what he can expect.... Good luck!
Yes, 2 weeks, I keep getting the jitters. It's a wierd scenario right now, there's kind of loads to do, but not a lot I can do right now, so I am just doing a lot of waiting for deliveries/panicking/rechecking deliveries/more panicking!!! Monday though, carpets go down (deepest joy) and then I can start to move some stuff back in, which really will feel like progress. I think I may just spend a couple of hours lying on the carpet..... Ahhhhhh....