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.