Asked about having more DC in a job interview - WWYD?

[TwoIsTrouble]

I always thought employers weren't legally allowed to ask you about having children in an interview, as it could be interpreted as being discriminatory.

However, I was recently asked if I planned to have any more children in a second round interview by a senior manager. I already have 2 DC, which is clear from my CV, and it had already come up in the conversation anyway. In response I just made a joke about having enough already, but was quite shocked that he actually asked the question.

Is this quite common then? Never happened to me before (though have had suggestions about how long nights at work don't mix with childcare - genius).

What would you say in a similar situation? I'd would have like to have said something like "Do you ask all your male applicants that question as well?", but the coward that I am, just kept my mouth shut. Do you have a witty come-back in your arsenal that does not ruin your chances of actually securing the job?

Gawd, it's so f*cking annoying isn't it?
No they're not supposed to ask but they do.
I have 3 DC and at a 1st and 2nd interview recenctly I was asked about my childcare arrangements, emergency childcare back up, whether I was having more children (I'll be 41 this year FFS) and get this are my children my priority. Seriously!
Since becoming a mother 8 years ago, interviewers go on and on about childcare arrangements.
DH in comparison who has sat a job interview every year for the last 5 I think has never, ever been asked about childcare.
Makes me really cross.
Oh and for balance, it's also female interviewers that ask these questions.

No it's not common. I've never been asked about it or about my arrangements for childcare.

Why is it 'clear from your CV' that you have two children. No reason at all to put it on (or age, martial status, etc.) It's not hiding anything, BTW, not to put it, it's not relevant in a professional context. It may also invite stupid interviewers to comment on it. Which may be what happened here.

Details of my marital status and children are not present on CV, I am always asked during an interview.
As far as I am aware it has not stopped me from getting a job (won some, lost some), but it makes me feel very uncomfortable having to 'justify' my personal life when my DH never has to.

Lady, I have two gaps in my CV as a result of redudancies whilst on maternity leave, which I've just put down as "Maternity Leave". As I'm now attempting to return to the job market after DC2, I always end up explaining the situation (took a good 19 months off before starting to look - clearly a bad idea).

Treatmill, do you always answer the questions put to you? Have you ever been tempted to point out that it's actually discriminatory?

Maybe I am wrong here but I thought that any time spent on maternity leave counted as time in a job? I'd just list my time spent in the job, ML included and leave it at that. Why do you have to specify it at all. Gaps due to redundancy are acceptable and probably less likely to open up a can of worms. I've never explained gaps on my CV in print, but have done so if asked in person - I've recently had a 2 year gap, but I've been able to explain it fine. Not once has anyone asked if I have children.

I think its not good practice - and if they only ask women it is discrimation in my view. I have had a load of interviews in the last year and have only been asked once about childcare and never about having more children - to be fair in a very part time job that you would do round children - still wasn't happy though
twoistrouble I would maybe change your CV around maybe make it skills based - and make clear the kind of things you have been doing in your time off apart from looking after children
I am not sure what you can say really through

TwoIsTrouble, no, I remain professional and answer their questions, '...I'm married so we support each other'...' '...I have a great support network of SAHM friends and extended family...(complete lie)'. Of course I'm tempted to ask, '...if I were a man would you be asking me these questions...?'
Regarding ML it is continuos employment and not gaps in your employ at all.

It's terrible practice - one of our managers asked a child related question in an interview. The woman didn't get the job because she wasn't suitable (a woman with kids got the job). She took it to court on discrimination grounds and a sum was paid over to settle.

The question was asked out of naivety, not because the answer would influence the decision but they paid for it!

I was definitely asked at "internal interviews" within my company and therefore I have learned to never mention children. As I have a large family, I never even begin along those lines now as I have learned the hard way that people just assume I will be unreliable.

I have never taken any time off but that doesn't seem to matter when you go for an interview as they don't know your past history....I do agree that men never get asked these sort of questions.

I lied every time.

A good response is " oh we both know that your not permitted to ask as it might be seen as discriminatory, I'mm happy to say that my family's complete".

This keeps things cordial, should stop further digging and flags up a warning of "give me the job or I'll run screaming to the press !"

No, they are not supposed to ask you that, and I would say that if you are asked. They would never ask a man such a question and it is totally irrelevant. God it annoys me that people still ask such questions at interviews. Was there anyone from HR present at the interview? You could consider contacting them and having a good humoured word and requesting that the question and your response be deleted from their notes.

If you don't get the job I'd be tempted to write to their HR department and complain about the question.

If you do get the job I'd be tempted to complain in person (politely) once you've signed the contract. Just so this dinosaur doesn't make the same mistake again.

CHANGE YOUr cv so it doesnt say maternity leave. it is not relevant.
i think i was asked once but it could have been before it was illegal.

anywya i have no idea what i would say or what i did say, actually i think mine was about childcare. which i had in place, obviously

I was once asked at an interview:

'I understand you're soon to be married. How do you think being married will affect your commitment to this job?'

It isn't relevant & I'm surprised people are experiencing people asking about further children etc. I do understand them asking about child care even if they aren't supposed to.

I work in HR and the question could be deemed as direct sex discrimination if they are unable to prove that you didn't get the job because of your skills / qualifications / experience.

I would probably put the 'error' down to poor management (perhaps even that individual being a twunt ) rather than the Company asking the question as part of their selection process.

Depending on if you get the job, you have the option to complain and take the Company to an Employment Tribunal. They should be able prove that the reason for declining your application was based on competence & not because you're a woman.

FFS this type of thing gets my back up, we're in the 21st century and it shouldn't happen but unfortunately discrimination of any form (religion, age, race, disability) is still common at recruitment and selection stages, hence the employment law being in place for people to pursue further.

PM me if you want help complaining.
Hopefully you will get the job (would consider feeding back to HR though)

If they are asking all candidates, regardless of sex or age, who are also applying for the same position, then it is not necessarily discriminatory - however, we all know they won't be asking men or older women that question!

As Godisa says if you don't get offered the job, you could complain & take the company to an Employment Tribunal.