Mentioning children at interview

gwen80

Hi

Talking to my friend about her upcoming interview for a professional role in the legal sector, she said 'I want to mention my daughter'. I said 'Why?' and she said 'Because then they know I'm normal'. Don't ask about the logic behind this, because frankly I'm none the wiser myself and can only assume she thinks I'm a childless weirdo!

Anyway, I said if it was me I wouldn't mention it, it's not relevant and the job interview should be about finding the best candidate for the role, their home life shouldn't come into it and if anything, it could be detrimental to her.

To me, her logic is warped and she is assuming others would follow the same thought process which they may not. It's not relevant to the role and in the interviewers shoes, I'd be confused about why her family circumstances had come up when not asked and may even make a negative judgement about them.

Would you mention your family at interview?

Gwen

Kayalana99

I think the company has a right to know you have kids because it can affect your work... I.e kid has sick day.

If I could get away with it though I wouldn't mention it because of that exact same reason!

AP007

I have never spoken about family at an interview although was asked if I had a bf!

Dogger69

Kayalana99 wrote: »

I think the company has a right to know you have kids because it can affect your work... I.e kid has sick day.

If I could get away with it though I wouldn't mention it because of that exact same reason!

An employer has no right to know if you have children. The employee/ applicant may choose to tell them if they wish to enforce their parental rights.

I do agree about not saying anything though - whilst it may not be politically correct (and is arguably unlawful), many employers will favour an applicant without dependants (and unlikely to have them in the future!).

Errata

Mentioning her daughter will only indicate she's fertile, not normal.
Some employers could consider women with children who want to work abnormal!

gwen80

My friend seems to be thinking of random pieces of information she 'wants to tell them' rather than preparing to answer specific questions. She's been asking my advice and then dismisses it (can you tell I'm slightly frustrated??). But then what do I know, I'm a childless weirdo who's been offered every job I've interviewed for.

Valli

Kayalana99 wrote: »

I think the company has a right to know you have kids because it can affect your work... I.e kid has sick day.

If I could get away with it though I wouldn't mention it because of that exact same reason!

:eek:

Of course they don't have a right to know because it 'could affect your work'!

gwen80

Errata wrote: »

Mentioning her daughter will only indicate she's fertile, not normal.
Some employers could consider women with children who want to work abnormal!

As I said her logic is warped... What's normal anyway? If she means she'll fit in, they'll decide that based on how she comes across at interview, surely?

Valli

Dogger69 wrote: »

An employer has no right to know if you have children. The employee/ applicant may choose to tell them if they wish to enforce their parental rights.

I do agree about not saying anything though - whilst it may not be politically correct (and is arguably unlawful), many employers will favour an applicant without dependants (and unlikely to have them in the future!).

What about applicants who have elderly parents? Sick dogs? Faulty boilers?

All they should be establishing, at interview, is whether the candidate can do the job and commit to the hours.

Kayalana99

Dogger69 wrote: »

An employer has no right to know if you have children. The employee/ applicant may choose to tell them if they wish to enforce their parental rights.

I do agree about not saying anything though - whilst it may not be politically correct (and is arguably unlawful), many employers will favour an applicant without dependants (and unlikely to have them in the future!).

Thier's a legal right and a moral right, personally I feel that employer needs to know all information about someone to be able to hire the right candiate...and having kids does mean that you'd require time off for sickness & emergencys etc so I'd feel like they should know, thats not to say I'd want to mention it though unless asked directly!

Takeaway_Addict

gwen80 wrote: »

My friend seems to be thinking of random pieces of information she 'wants to tell them' rather than preparing to answer specific questions. She's been asking my advice and then dismisses it (can you tell I'm slightly frustrated??). But then what do I know, I'm a childless weirdo who's been offered every job I've interviewed for.

I would suggest you stay out of it and just let her make her own mistake