recently reported that 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. The story said that discussion in the UK’s House of Lords had 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.” In Australia and the UK, employers are prevented by law from asking female applicants if they plan to have children.
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. 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. My comment: What a load of tripe! This is so wrong, on so many levels. There are so many holes in the arguments above that they hold less water than a string bag. Firstly, the real issue to employers isn’t pregnancy; it’s the impact on organisational productivity of the career breaks and short-term absences that ensue. Singleton’s comment that “men can’t get pregnant” overlooks the fact that parental leave is for BOTH sexes. Mr Singleton, nowadays it’s not at all unusual for fathers to take career breaks while the mother returns to full-time work and for either or both parents to take time off to care for sick children and manage other parental obligations. With regard to Ms Bethlehem’s comments, I am at a total loss to understand why she isn’t calling for both sexes to be honest about plans to have children. Why only women? Isn’t that direct discrimination and a breach of our anti-discrimination laws? Following on from Ms Bethlehem’s comment, how would she suggest an employer reacts if an employee – male or female – starts a family – planned or unplanned – without having told the employer. Should they be asked to leave for not “being honest”? And as for Barnaby Joyce – if it’s a woman’s “own business,” why should employers assume she will want children? That makes it employers’ business. Assumptions are often wrong, Mr Joyce, and can lead to unmerited and illegal discrimination on gendered grounds. Thank goodness Pru Goward and Kate Ellis added the voice of reason to this ridiculous debate! What do you think? Should women “confess” to baby plans at interviews?
