AIBU to get fed up of interviewers asking me about childcare?

[herecomesmytrain]

I am planning on returning to work after a 2 year break, which includes maternity leave and relocating to another part of the country. I am now at the point where I want to get back to work, and have had a few (well, 3) interviews recently where, in every case, the interviewers were focused on my plans for childcare, could I work during school holidays / weekends, were GPs actively involved? At the last interview I was actually asked if my partner was around and if PIL were also on hand to help out with childcare.

I'm starting to think I need to lie on my CV about the maternity leave aspect but can't think what else to say...

I bet no one would consider probing in depth at interview how someone manages their disability.

Oh they do.

Like your not allowed to ask about sick leave, not even if you ask everyone, as that would discriminate against those with disabilities.

Actually it wouldn't, when you look at the actual figures people with disabilities take less time off than those without.

Of course the majority of people with disabilities are not in work so that may skew things.

In the last 3 years I have had no time of related to my disability, I had 2 days off when an ovarian cyst burst (ambulance called to work) and 2 weeks off to recover from the op to remove the ovary.

I think an interview absolutely is a two way street. I got very sick a few years back partly due to a very stressful job and when I left and began looking for new positions I was very open about the fact that I was not looking to climb the career ladder and that I merely wanted to find a job I enjoyed, do it well and leave work at a reasonable hour. If anyone interviewing me had an issue with that then fine, not the job for me. But I was temping so had freedom to be picky.

As it happened my now boss liked the fact I was very upfront about this. Now I love my job and have a great work/life balance. My employer is really family friendly.

I have a feeling even if men are asked too, it's still discrimatory to ask as women are less likely to be able to provide a reassuring answer, as they are more likely to be the one doing the majority of childcare activities.

But surely that is their choice? I don't.

Dh has been asked this as he had a period of SAH. I haven't as I am more committed to work than him. You would not leave your job and be a SAHD/SAHM if you were career minded.

I actually think men being asked is key to equality. It makes it normal for men to work flexibly around children if they feel it is expected. In some companies both men and women do this happily, children aren't seen as a woman's responsibility where I work.

I work in recruitment and we don't ask these questions (granted, it's high level - we do more general management/director stuff). We ask every candidate about their family situation though, mainly because the majority of our roles involve relocation/lots of travel so it's good to know about potential school fees, how much housing assistance needs to be offered, how many people medical/dental insurance needs to cover etc.

I couldn't imagine asking someone how they would manage childcare. I am pretty sure that's discriminatory...