PLEASE READ! I have been turned down for a European Export Manager role despite 'ticking all the boxes' because I am a woman with young children at home....

[Incandescentrage]

I have today been informed that, following 2 interviews, I am being turned down for a job as an European Export Manager as I am a woman with young children at home (aged 5, 6 and 13) because it would be 'unfair to expect me to travel extensively'. I was also told that in every respect - knowledge, competence, experience, I 'ticked all the boxes'.

When I queried whether this would still be an issue if I were a man with a wife and children, rather than a woman with a husband and children I was told no, it probably would not be.

I reasoned with the prospective employer that I am fully aware of what the role entails, I already travel extensively in my current role, and this does not cause a problem for my family. I was then told, if that was the case, that I was probably a rotten mother.

I am incandescent with rage and cannot believe that such open, rampant sexism still exists. I had, perhaps naively, thought that we had turned a corner for working mothers in 1979 with the advent of a female Prime Minister, who had children. At the very least I had thought that it was less overt than this.

Of the 11 women at the top of Radio4's recent Power List of the 100 most powerful women in the UK (with Carrie Longton and Justine Roberts of Mumsnet coming joint 7th) 10 have children. Being a mother is clearly NOT a barrier to career success, focus, determination, drive, efficiency, enthusiasm or commitment. And having a career does NOT make me a bad mother.

Can anyone at Mumsnet flag this up to Justine or Carrie for comment or to bring this public attention, please.

That is disgusting. I'm so annoyed on your behalf.

I have reported this post to Mumsnet - because it is the easiest way to get MNHQ to read it.

I think you need the Employer to put their thoughts in writing - and then take them to court.

It sounds like legal advice may well be in order. I am no employment lawyer, but what they said sounds illegal to me.

That is disgusting. Are they are large company - name and shame?
Surely they have acted illegally in discriminating against you? I am sure some employment experts on here will confirm.

That's utterly ridiculous! It's up to you to decide what job role are suited to your situation not them. Twunts.

I second - Name and shame!

Do you have legal insurance with your house insurance (or otherwise).

If so, I would email prospective employer confirming the conversation and asking them to confirm that it is correct, and then find an employment lawyer.

You might want to consider what you want the outcome to be, though. They clearly need to be pulled up on this, but OTOH, knowing what you now know, would you still want the job if they offered it to you?

Whilst disgusting this doesn't surprise me, though I'm a bit that they were honest about their reasons.
I'm currently looking for a new job and the amount of ads that clearly discriminate against parents or rather mothers is shocking. They might as well say 'mothers need not apply'.
A friend of mine was recently asked what her childcare plans were at an interview, she didn't even realize it was discrimination until I pointed out it was highly unlikely they would have asked the male applicants the same question. Makes my blood boil.
I agree with others ask for their reasons in writing and name and shame.

I completely understand your rage and if that is their reasons for not giving you a job then they are acting illegally.
I've had a similar issue when going for my first fully qualified position, I was verbally offered the job, at which point I disclosed that I had a disability (it's hidden) and that although it would not affect my work I would require regular blood monitoring which I could do over lunchtimes but would mean on those days I couldn't work through lunch (overtime). The only effect on my work is that I use a different computer mouse and sometimes need to wear splints.
This news was greeted with a withdrawal of the offer from 5mins ago as he thought I was now not capable of coping with the job! He didn't ask me any questions just withdrew the job. When I brought up the fact that my ability in the intervening 5mins hadn't changed and it sounded little like discrimination he said 'your word against mine darling'
I look back now and think I had a lucky escape, glad I didn't end up working for a company with that kind of attitude.
There was little I could do at the time, I had no money to take it further and I didn't dare rock the boat too much as it's a small employment pool for my profession and I still desperately needed a job.

I have over the years recounted my story several times and as I have become quite well known in the region, it has affected their reputation, which is good enough for me.
Oh and my disability inspired me to learn something about accessibility, so am now an accessibility consultant too which enables me to offer additional services. In 10 years my disability has made me work harder (to prove myself) rather than a have negative impact, it pushed me to strive harder than most of my colleagues (& succeed) and to me that is a huge loss for them not me.

I have informed the Recruitment Agency who were acting for me of what has been said and that I no longer wish to be considered now or in the future for employment with this company, despite them informing me that I was unsuitable for the above reasons.

I am also emailing the MD of the Company, and intend to inform Jane Garvey of Womans Hour (R4) and to write to a couple of the broadsheets, attaching a copy of my email and name and shame.

Thank you noseynoonoo for reporting the post.

Assuming the company is in the UK, you have experienced direct sex discrimination (rare those days - they usually try and hide it!) and can litigate accordingly. Enjoy your employment tribunal and spending your compensation.

It is worth doing as ETs now have the power to impose sanctions on the company - like sex discrim training fr all managers, so a successful case can make a real difference.

Hi there

Thanks for drawing our attention to this one - and we so sorry to read about what happened.

As ever, we're interested to see what other posters' experiences are.

Thanks
MNHQ