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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

WWYD? Job interview issue.

43 replies

Unrulysun · 08/04/2011 22:38

I was asked about my childcare arrangements in a job interview yesterday.

I had mentioned that I was on maternity leave (when asked about my current role and the change to the new one if I were successful). One of the interviewers asked me a couple of questions which I felt were inappropriate about whether my childcare arrangements would be flexible enough :(

I won't find out if I was successful until next week. My thinking is to wait until then and, whatever the outcome, offer it as feedback.

WWYD?

OP posts:

KatieMiddleton · 09/04/2011 22:37

Good for you slug. Reading the other answers I was thinking I'd probably just stand up and get my coat if I was asked...

JessinAvalon · 09/04/2011 23:11

I love your answer, Slug! And im22, no need to inform us you are a man. I had guessed from your response to the OP.

I have a guy who works for me who takes time off at short notice to look after the kids on a regular basis (it's pretty annoying). His wife doesn't ever take time off for a sick child etc.

I find it incredible that an employer would think that it's acceptable to ask this. And as SardineQueen said (I think) it's not as if anyone is going to say, 'damn, I forgot about that.'

As an employer, I wouldn't dream of asking such a question in an interview.

Original poster

Unrulysun · 10/04/2011 16:49

Sorry - I posted and ran there a bit.

It's not a full time role - it's very, very part time and flexible. I'm primarily still going to be a SAHM.

My issue was really that it put me back into a role I want to keep very separate from work (and I emphasised this to them at the time) and there were some really idiotic follow on questions/statements ('we don't advise people to bring their children into work with them' 'Really? I normally work better with a 20 pound toddler strapped to me - doesn't everyone?')

Sardine Queen is right - why wouldn't anyone with an ounce of sense have thought about this? It's exactly like Alice says - have I thought that I might need to wear shoes to work? And catch the train? Even if there's engineering work at Clapham Junction?

at Slug. I'm not 100% sure about the job but I just said 'oh yes it's extremely flexible - a doting grandparent is with her right now'.

I'm surprised that it's not illegal to be honest. It's morally bollocks at least.

OP posts:

Original poster

Unrulysun · 10/04/2011 16:55

tbh I think it was clumsy rather than evil. The other interviewer (both women) looked quite shocked :)

I think I'll feedback meantime to an organisation I am involved with which is the sister organisation of this one. Then it doesn't look like sour grapes if I don't get it. Which is very possible as it all went a bit Pete after this. :)

OP posts:

sethstarkaddersmackerel · 10/04/2011 17:08

it's another classic example of where the law is supposed to protect you but it doesn't.
Because they are not allowed to ask one set of questions to a man and another to a woman, BUT unless you happen to be friends with a male candidate, how on earth would you KNOW what they were asking the men?

NorfolkNChance · 10/04/2011 21:34

I haven't had this personally as I am in the same job since having DD but a colleague did and asked for the question to be given in writing. She was later offered the job but turned it down after that question.

KatieMiddleton · 10/04/2011 22:02

It is illegal. Sex discrimination is illegal.

Original poster

Unrulysun · 10/04/2011 23:03

Asking for the question to be given in writing is brilliant. A bit too brave for me on the first activity on an assessment centre though :)

I thought it was illegal but posters seem to be divided on that? I suppose it could be argued that I brought up my maternity (although I only did that as it was relevant to the question I was answering).

I think I will tell my contact at the sister organisation and then offer it as feedback when they reject me next week. I will say I'd like to give feedback and ask how they'd like it (e-mail or by phone). Just want to make sure it doesn't happen again.

OP posts:

garlicbutter · 10/04/2011 23:47

It's a weird one, isn't it? I have a long-term illness and am expected to declare this on applications. The DDA says they can't discriminate against me because of it but, really, do we expect an employer to put my application on the top of the pile when they've got 300 equally qualified candidates who don't need DDA protection? I know children aren't a disability but am assuming the interviewer's reason for wanting to know is the same (will candidate be able to work full-time?)

My incredibly powerful female friend kept her large family and low-earning, childcaring husband secret until her boots got big enough. It's not a level playing field, not by a long way yet.

garlicbutter · 10/04/2011 23:48

OP - I would airily dismiss the question, too!

garlicbutter · 10/04/2011 23:49

... though I'd LOVE to reply with "What childcare arrangements does the company provide?"

ilovecrisps · 11/04/2011 14:20

lol at slug, garlic and asking for this in writing
and reassuring to know that in the eyes of a childless man who is probably 22 it isn't sex discrimination.

I was asked somethhing very similar recently and I know for sure the men weren't asked it (it was would you like to work part-time?)

but I know I didn't get the job because I have dcs

flowery · 11/04/2011 14:27

It's not technically illegal, no, as long as male candidates are also asked. There is no law saying "thou shalt not ask about childcare arrangements", as is commonly believed.

However it is very stupid of any employer to do so as it is likely to be perceived as sex discrimination and is also largely irrelevant. What is relevant is whether the candidate can meet the requirements of the job, so if the job involves being very flexible or working long hours, it's fine imo to spell that out and ask whether the employee will be able to meet those requirements.

OP I imagine it was not malicious given the description of the job you've given, I imagine the question was motivated by the 'very flexible' part of the job, they were just trying to establish in a very clumsy ill-thought-out way whether that was possible.

Original poster

Unrulysun · 11/04/2011 20:41

Yes I think it was stupid rather than malicious. I was interested in the effect it had on me. I am starting to realise how difficult it is to combine being a mother with being seen as intelligent, professional etc.

The irony is it was a 'focused interview' the entire point of which is presumably to be more objective.

OP posts:

SardineQueen · 13/04/2011 17:20

Let us know when you hear about the job, unruly.

I had my interview, no mention of children or indeed anything personal at all. They even didn't ask me obvious questions about peculiarities on my CV as they obviously had been briefed to steer clear. The peculiarities are down to having children, and TBH I would have been happy of a chance to explain them!

The interview was impeccable actually, I was really impressed. I hope they were too!!!

frankie3 · 13/04/2011 18:01

I was asked this in my job interview and didn't think it was a strange thing to ask. I was applying for a job with very good hours, that could fit around dropping off and collecting from school. My boss asked me about what I would do for childcare in the school holidays. I don't see what is wrong with this. If a man was at a job interview for a job that was 200 miles from his home would it be wrong to ask him about whether he would move house?

BTW I got the job and I am still there after 3 years. They are very flexible around my childcare arrangements and I can easily swap days, go in later etc if I need to take DC's to doctor etc. It is give and take, and being open with an employer from the beginning and working together is the best option.

madwomanintheattic · 13/04/2011 18:13

i was a member of a 3 person interview panel where the third candidate (and the only woman) was asked this by one of my male colleagues. i waited until the candidate had left the room and went mental. the third person on the panel (male) backed me up totally.

unsurprisingly, i had a phone call a couple of weeks ago to check my contact details, as i am being called as a witness in an employment tribunal and potential sex discrimination case against the chap in question. not by the woman who was being interviewed (she didn't get the job - he vetoed it as she was a single mother and he couldn't work out how she could look after her kids, despite myself and my colleague pointing out it was not relevant at all. but made up some other bollocks about why she wasn't suitable and a man was) but by a completely different woman who has the misfortune of working for the organisation.

funny old thing.

clearly i no longer work there.

am loving slug's response though. it is filed for future ref.

Original poster

Unrulysun · 14/04/2011 16:56

Frankie the question is whether they ask male candidates about childcare.

OP posts:

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