Better to confess to baby plans in job interviews

[share a book]

Alan Sugar says it's better to confess to baby plans in job interviews

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/money/money-matters/alan-sugar-says-its-better-to-confess-to-baby-plans-in-job-interviews/story-e6frfmd9-1226024677840#ixzz1H5jHbs5Y



BOSSES and recruiters say women during job interviews should disclose future plans to have babies.


Several employers said women should be open with employers about their family plans when applying for jobs - some saying it would actually help female candidates secure positions.
A discussion in the UK's House of Lords this week has sparked intense debate among recruiters and politicians.
Lord Alan Sugar, a prominent businessman and the boss in the British version of television show The Apprentice, urged women to be "forthcoming" by declaring their status regarding children and childcare "so as to pre-empt any unaskable questions in the mind of the interviewer".
"I believe employment regulations for women, whereby the prospective employer is not able to inquire about the interviewee's status regarding children, childcare, or indeed their intention of becoming a parent are counterproductive," he said in Parliament.
In Australia and the UK employers are prevented by law from asking female applicants if they plan to have kids.
But the Australian head of human resources for Adecco, one of the world's largest recruitment firms, Victoria Bethlehem, said women should open up about plans for children.
"I agree with what (Lord Sugar) is saying," she said.
"Without a doubt, interviewers make assumptions about female candidates.
"I think most employers would appreciate women being honest."
Leader of the Nationals in the senate Barnaby Joyce said it was best just to assume women would want a child and that was "entirely their business".
NSW Shadow Minister for Women Pru Goward said it was blatant sex discrimination.
"Where does it stop? Do you ask a woman whether she has a boyfriend? Why don't we ask men whether they have had affairs in the office? There are a lot of personal things that would be useful for employers to know but it doesn't achieve anything and it is offensive."
Business owner Jack Singleton said employers do make gender assumptions. "You look at men and know men can't get pregnant," he said.
Federal Women's Minister Kate Ellis said businesses were required by law to employ people based on merit and not on assumptions - and it should stay that way.

[Merla]

It's only helpful for the women is they are not planning children yet or have already finished their families.

I don't know any employers who would employ someone currently trying for a baby or who is in early pregnancy.

[share a book]

They never ask a man if he plans on having children! Why is it only the mums who have the responsibility to find childcare and organise work around bubs?

[Merla]

They never ask a man if he plans on having children! Why is it only the mums who have the responsibility to find childcare and organise work around bubs?

Because it is not well accepted in society for men to be a full time parent. To the employer a man having a child may mean 1-8 weeks of leave (usually using annual leave, etc), for a woman it is often closer to 12 months, sometimes longer sometimes shorter, they need to find a replacement for that time and hold her position open etc until she decides if she wants to return.

Not saying its fair, but the reality is that child baring and raising in the early years usually falls on the woman (especially for breastfeeding) as there are jobs that a man simply can not do.

[TinyStar]

Anybodies circumstances can changes for a variety of reasons.

You can hire anyone and they can decide they dont like the job/found the commute was too far/didn't get along with someone/had a better offer/partners gets promotion interstate...........

I think it is really irrelevent.

FWIW when I started my job I was trying to get pregnant (the question was never asked and I was young so it most likely wasn't expected), My boss handed me the letter saying I had completed my probation period and I found out I was pregnant the next week. I have been at the same company for 7 years now.

[beebs]

What a twit!

Ive been with my employer 9 years. And if that had of come up in the interview I would have said "none, never ever" and I would have meant it. My mother was so surprised when I got pregnant - cause I never wanted kids. I am now 30 weeks with #4.

Things change- and being a mother doesn't make a woman less capable than a man.

PS - my dad was a stay at home dad with me in the 70s..boy did he get a hard time!

[Californication]

I don't agree with him and I'm pretty sure it's illegal for them to ask that in an interview.

I bet you could guarantee that if there were 2 equal candidates and one said she was TTC or pregnant and the other wasn't, then the second woman would get the job. Bosses would never admit it, but it would factor into their thinking!

I'd only just started a new job (been there a week) when I found out I was pregnant. I told my boss pretty much straight away but was scared he would sack me after my probation expired. Luckily for me he didn't!

[share a book]

I had no plan to have a baby at any time them bam! Pregnant at 22 completely unplanned! I had no intention of returning to work for 5/6 years then things changed and I ended up back at work in about a year and a half after having her! Everything can change without it having anything to do with having a baby! My bro will be a sahp for their bub :)

[Piffle]

Only a person who'd never felt worried they'd lose their jobs or ruin their career by having babies would give such idiotic advice. Great for the potential employers so they can avoid the "risky" women. Terrible for the women themselves.

[pumpernickel]

I've only been for a handful of interviews but every single one has asked about family and future plans. They always ask if I'm married, if my husband is supportive of returning to work, what plans do I have for child care, what if the child is sick? I know they aren't allowed to, but really, what can you say?!

[BabelFish]

When I was interviewed for the job I got before I had kids, one question was 'Where do you see yourself in five years?'. My answer? 'I looked at the other senior staff member in the room and said 'in your job'.

When I got pregnant accidentally two years later, I told my boss immediately, and started talking about what we would do as the girl I worked with had three months in Europe booked when I was due.

He said 'family is more important than work. We'll figure it out'.

If only all employers were more like this.

[meatpopsicle]

Pumpernickel - that's appalling. If you ever don't get one of these jobs, you really should report them for asking.

I've never been asked. Not even last December when I went to a couple of interviews and was visibly pregnant - they waited for me to bring it up, right at the end of the interview. I got one of those jobs and the other one went to a friend of mine whose baby was due 4 days after mine. But things are a bit different in the public service - I'm sure it's a lot tougher in private industry.

[share a book]

When I was interviewed for the job I got before I had kids, one question was 'Where do you see yourself in five years?'. My answer? 'I looked at the other senior staff member in the room and said 'in your job'.

When I got pregnant accidentally two years later, I told my boss immediately, and started talking about what we would do as the girl I worked with had three months in Europe booked when I was due.

He said 'family is more important than work. We'll figure it out'.

If only all employers were more like this.

Meanwhile I got the sack then went for another one when pregnant then signed a 12 month cotract and told them 8 weeks later :eek:

[2plusbaby]

I am responsible for the recruitment in my workplace. During interviews I never ask about family plans. I was asked "in conversation" during my interview and strongly strongly believe (which has since been back up by the response I got when I told my boss of my pregnancy), that I only got my position because I have PCOS and it was believed I would not have anymore children unless I had treatments.

I am a family person and never consider my applicants any different because of their family situations or future plans. Unfortunately my boss has no children, no desire for them and no understanding of the situations we as parents find ourselves in sometimes.

Personally I would never confess my baby plans during a job interview. Although illegal you can never be sure how people will react to that information. Even if you are the right person for the job, some employers just arnt willing to take the chance. Its rude, its illegal however it is extremely hard to prove.

I would only confess at the end of an interview if I was already pregnant.

My partner will be a SAHD for this baby and I will go back to work, however he hasnt yet told his employers as we are fairly confident they would find a reason to dismiss him. They will find out when he hands them the paternity letter at the 10weeks before required time. Sad but true, some workplaces have no room for flexibility!

[TNTbub]

Nig nog.