to wonder why it's so bad to be a working mother? (recruitment thread)

[wheresthepopcorn]

Ok, just wanted to put this out there. Does anyone else feel the pressure to hide the fact that you are a mum or newly married during the recruitment process? I have found that out of a big number of recruitment agents I worked for on a regular basis, only 1 would work for me once I had had my baby. (my clients were happy so this was not based on bad work feedback) Anyone have similar experiences with difficulty about being a new mum and looking for a job? Anyone wanting to get back into the workplace but struggling?

I would LOVE to know who all these firms are who won't consider employing women of childbearing age. Because surely, this must mean they are queuing up and desparate to employ women aged 45+?

Where are all the employers GAGGING to get their mitts on 51 year old moi, (highly presentable, articulate, excellent communication skills, totally IT literate) with my 30+ years work experience?

Well, waddya know. Women aged 50+ are more likely to be unemployed than ANY OTHER GROUP in the UK The long-term unemployment rate for women aged over 50 has risen by 3,000 to a total of 60,000 - the highest proportion among any age group

Returning to work a few months back after 5 years off, I have to admit that I tried to mention my DC (4 of them, no more for me) and my "complete family" as early as possible in the interview process.

I am 35, I look slightly younger, I'm not naive enough to believe my reproductive status is not at the forefront of employers minds so rather than have them assume the worse I let them know there wil be nor more DC's and that I have excellent childcare in place. Rightly or wrongly it was an approach that worked.

Serenity you do know that businesses don't have to pay two lots of wages when someone goes on ML, don't you?

Am I the only one hoping Serenity is not in a position to be making hire & fire decisions?

My DH is currently having a lot of trouble with his work as a result of being DDs primary cater. I. A disciplinary meeting this week they were totally shocked when he explained his position as SAHD to one DD and the conflict with his 'weekend-only' contact with DSD.

Ironically my own work have been entirely different with me since i returned from my first mat leave and have been subtly trying to get me out since i came back. I honestly believe this is due yo my direct managers attitude to working mums.

Carer not cater, sorry

Yes i do know that rubirosa- although they do have to front up the smp which isnt always reimbursed in a timely manner (and you obviously must have the cash to be able to do it) I was thinking more about the handover, training, increased costs of short term contracts/ agency staff.

Wimblehorse that a really odd thing to say

serenity that's all part of employing people. If employers don't want those costs then they simply don't get to benefit from the labour of others.

Odd? When you have suggested someone arriving for work pregnant should be fired?!

I was very open with my employers during thr recruitment too about my single parent status and how I'd need flexibility. They were fine about, which made me sure they were the right fit for me.