Is this sex discrimination?

Mutter_2

I trust the OP is using neither her employer's equipment or time to post on here.

naturally_2

nadnad wrote: »

I also can't believe some people think that bringing a LEGITIMATE issue to the fore would increase your chances of being made redundant, thats absurd, many factors are taken into account when redundancies are made and this certainly isnt one of them, wise up.

The employer would never own up to this being a factor in the decision to make you redundant, but I'm sorry to say that all sorts of things get factored into the decision - its just that they will never be the official line.

Idiophreak

skintchick wrote: »

(although I also wonder what they'd feel if everyone felt that way and they didn't have the right to vote or work etc.)

I expect they'd feel differently...but that's kinda the point.

People are going to see their right to vote, or their right to work, as being worth losing their job over. £40, on the other hand, a lot of people would just let go...

You may call if cowardly, but there are some people who just want the quiet life and will leave the fighting to other people. I see this as their right, to be honest...

naturally_2

honeypop wrote: »

But how would they think it is likely to happen in the near future (or at all)? Without knowing someones personal circumstances, for example are they married/living with a partner, already have kids, want kids (all of which they also tend not to ask in an interview) etc, how would they be able to assess your inclination to have a baby soon? Do they just dis-count any woman of child bearing age, just in case?

It probably does go through an interviewers head but I don't see how they can guess someone is the type to want a baby soon so decide not to give someone the job.

Wasn't the person who originally posted on this issue out of work and pregnant, worried about employers opinions of her pregnancy in job interviews?

Therefore it would be a reasonable assumption in her case that the employer would be able to see physically that she was with child, no questions needed.

It is indeed illegal for an employer to ask if you are planning on getting pregnant soon, its also actually illegal to make any judgement based on age which means that they shouldn't ask your age or factor it into the decision. The ones who ignore this are unfortuately not likely to be prossecuted on it because it would be very hard for an individual to prove that the reason they didn't get the job was becuase of the illegal factor, and not worth them pursuing the fact that they shouldn't have been asked that question.

The other person who said they were asked the question of PG at interview, I'd just state "No, I don't want kids," even if I were lying. They shouldn't be asking the question, you know they won't want to employ you if you say otherwise, and if you did become PG shortly afterwards then tough luck on them - not a thing they can do about it, as its illegal to ask.

honeypop

naturally wrote: »

Wasn't the person who originally posted on this issue out of work and pregnant, worried about employers opinions of her pregnancy in job interviews?

Therefore it would be a reasonable assumption in her case that the employer would be able to see physically that she was with child, no questions needed.

If you mean me, then yes, I was made redundant while pregnant, however at 13 weeks and not showing in any way, they'd need x-ray specs to know I was pregnant at the interviews lol!

Idiophreak

honeypop wrote: »

they'd need x-ray specs to know I was pregnant at the interviews

...and I've been led to believe they're frowned upon in the interview process these days

Spendless

Zazen999 wrote: »

Q "are you thinking of getting pregnant anytime soon?'
A "why, do you want to impregnate me?"

:rotfl: :rotfl: I've been asked at interview before how reliable my childcare arrangements are and I complained with the help of a fellow mse'r about it and got an apology and a promise that their staff would be trained in interview procedure in future.

I have no intention of answering questions like that in future. I will consider changing my mind the day my husband comes home and tells me he's been asked how reliable his childcare arrangments are at interview.

Idiophreak

Spendless wrote: »

I have no intention of answering questions like that in future. I will consider changing my mind the day my husband comes home and tells me he's been asked how reliable his childcare arrangments are at interview.

Actually, I'm a "young man" and have had questions around this area at certain interviews - where they want people who don't have much in the way of family life slowing them down. I answered honestly, didn't really see it as a big deal

patchwork_cat

Actually a lot of employers want to employ men that have a family as they feel that they are more stable. I suppose it depends what you do - if I was interviewing for the city I might want single people so I could burn them out! If I was interviewing for a family GP I might want a family person so that they would understand the pressures. ( please note the might! )

Strapped

Zazen999 wrote: »

Q "are you thinking of getting pregnant anytime soon?'
A "why, do you want to impregnate me?"

LMAO.

At the interview for my last job, I was interviewed by a man and a woman. The man was very chatty, and asked about my kids, as well as, "having any more?" The woman was obviously horrified, and tried to cover by saying, "oh, he has 6" but unfortunately added, "...and wants more, just looking for someone to have them...". I did actually take the job and we all laughed about it later but I used to mercilessly remind them of it whenever another interview came round