Are parents becoming less employable?

[forinborin]

Backstory - I am a single parent with two small children at home (young primary age). I lost my old perm position in autumn (I did underperform and underdeliver during the first lockdown due to the children at home, so did not pass the review).

I was interviewing for a temp contracting position (way below my old career level, but at least something to cover the bills) on Friday - I thought the interview went quite well - but was asked to confirm this morning that I will have a quiet isolated place to work and to declare that there will be no interruptions to my schedule or competing responsibilities during the working hours. Obviously, I cannot commit at the moment to this in good faith.

Wondering whether this becomes the norm? Are parents, effectively, becoming less employable?

But this is for a 3 month temporary contract. The role has presumably been scoped out to take that long, and costed accordingly. They know that the pandemic may cause childcare issues for parents for the length of the contract and are therefore covering their backs. At least they are being clear that you need to be able to commit to actually working full time for the length of the contract, that's not an unreasonable ask for such as short term contract
I totally agree, it is just that it felt too carefully phrased and looked like a part of the standard checks / pre-employment screening (as in, not created specifically for this contract and position). I mean, it is not outrageous, as I said - my previous employment conditions always included quite strict wording on working from home. It is just that it is the first time that I see it so early in the process.

@SushiSoozie

Are parents, effectively, becoming less employable?

No. Don't generalise your personal experience to everyone. Millions upon millions of people have not suddenly become less employable.

That's exactly why I am asking the wider audience. Good to hear it is not the universal experience.

@forinborin "I am not saying that this is unreasonable as such, I am just wondering whether I should just stop looking for work now at all."

Well why should you stop looking for work. If you are available for work and don't have to look after children at home then there isn't an issue. The issue is that with young children it is impossible to do both and the employer will most likely find that unacceptable