Application form..asking for my childcare providers details? surely not

brians_daughter

Hi all, urm, just a quick one really. I am off for an interview today and I need to complete an application form to take along with me.

The company want to know the ins and outs of everything. Thats fine, however, They are asking the following

1. Do you have any children?
2. Age of children
3. Do you have childcare in place? If so whom? ie family, friends or do you use a registered childcare provder
4. If you use a registered childcare provider please supply their contact details below.

The company are a massive organisation and are well thought of in their field of work so i assume they are working within the law. But surely this is a step too far on an application form? I use a mix of childcare ie grandparents and a paid childcare provider but why should i need to disclose this?

I remember in my last job being responsible for the interviews and my MD telling me i must not ask about kids and childcare but if they volunteered the info then great..i always assumed this was down to legislation rather than him being uninterested.

Or, am i just being a tad ackward by not wanting to give this info? I just feel ackward giving out my childcare providers details without asking her first - she is on annual leave this week so i cant speak with her to get permission

I am due to go for interview this afternoon so any info/input would be great.

Googlewhacker

as long as they ask everyone these questions and do not base their decision purely on these questions then there is nothing wrong as of yet

Zazen999

I am afraid I would answer 'How is this relevant to the role?' to each of those.

brians_daughter

thanks for the info.I just find it strange that they want the childminders details! TBH i am reluctant to give out these details as she is on holiday until Monday, but i have been told without these details they will not progress the interview (I am not leaving the form filling to the last minute they got lost in the post and the new ones only came this morning).

Apparantly it is due to the fact that 'on occassion' i may be required to work until 8pm and they basically ring her to see if she will offer me these hours...well, urm no she wont but my kids have grand parents, aunts, uncles and a father that would when the needs arise.

Zazen999

brians_daughter wrote: »

thanks for thE info.I just find it strange that they want the childmionders details! TBH i am reluctant to give out these details as she is on holiday until Monday, but i have been told without these details they will not progress the interview (I am not leaving the form filling to the last minute they got lost in the post and the new ones only came this morning).

Apparantly it is due to thE fact that 'on occassion' i may be required to work until 8pm and they basically ring her to see if she will offer me these hours...well, urm no she wont but my kids have grand parents, aunts, uncles and a father that would when the needs arise.

Interesting; if they do not progress the interview then aren't they discriminating against parents?

You are the adult, and if you decide to work unsocial hours then you will be sorting your own childcare out....they should not be contacting your childminder for you - what on earth do they think they are doing???

brians_daughter

Zazen999 wrote: »

I am afraid I would answer 'How is this relevant to the role?' to each of those.

Thanks, I have done (just now) answer above. It just leves a funny feeling for me, giving all this info at 1st interview - they have already said there will be a second interview if they progress my app.

NJW69

I also am responsible for interviews and I don't believe its a question you can ask same as you can't ask if someone is married etc.

Some personal details are asked for sometimes for monitoring purposes i.e. ethnic background, religon etc but it should clearly state this on the the form and it should be detached by HR prior to the form being shared with anyone involved in the interview process.

Googlewhacker

brians_daughter wrote: »

thanks for thE info.I just find it strange that they want the childmionders details! TBH i am reluctant to give out these details as she is on holiday until Monday, but i have been told without these details they will not progress the interview (I am not leaving the form filling to the last minute they got lost in the post and the new ones only came this morning).

Apparantly it is due to thE fact that 'on occassion' i may be required to work until 8pm and they basically ring her to see if she will offer me these hours...well, urm no she wont but my kids have grand parents, aunts, uncles and a father that would when the needs arise.

whilst it may be ok I personally am of the same mindset as the other posters in really it is non of their business

JimmyTheWig

For question 3 I would write that you use a mix of childcarers. Say that this gives you maximum flexibility - for example if I am going to be late then someone else can pick the children up from the childminders.

For question 4 I would say that your childminder is away this week [you could here mention what childcare arrangements you have for this and other weeks when your childminder is away] and you don't feel you can give their details out without first checking. These details can be supplied on Monday.

ETA... Have now read posts 6-8. I guess it depends how much you want/need the job.

Kate78

It's perfectly appropriate tell a prospective employee that the job may involve working anti-social hours and would they be able/prepared to do this.

But I am surprised that an employer would put these sorts of questions on an application form.

brians_daughter

NJW69 wrote: »

I also am responsible for interviews and I don't believe its a question you can ask same as you can't ask if someone is married etc.

.

Funnily enough I was asked at phone interview stage if i had a husband and how did he feel about me going to work with young children.... I assumed that was down to the woman who was conducting the interview ahd already told me she was 65 this time, so i thought she was a bit 'old school' I expalined i wasnt married, she then asked did i live with my childrens father!

Now i am seriously considering not attending. I do have a job, but its on a temp basis and wanted something more ongoing..