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Original poster

Can't get a job in Yorkshire

28 replies

Stillwinginit · 23/07/2018 22:10

Hi, I moved up to Yorkshire a year and a half ago. I'm a single mum to a 3 year old DD. I moved up here from Cambridge where I lived 8 years and prior to that lived in the Midlands. I've had a solid, pretty successful career in HR, fully CIPD qualified (HR qualification) and, without meaning to sound bigheaded, I've never had any problems finding a job until I moved up North. Every single interview I have had, I've been asked about my personal circumstances, how flexible I can be, what childcare arrangements I have in place etc. Questions that really shouldn't be asked at interview. I do my best not to mention that I'm a single parent, but the interviewers do their best to drag it out of me. Also, I find a lot of the jobs advertised, I simply cannot do as the working hours are totally unsuitable. Many start before 9am for example, which I can't do, due to nursery opening hours. I'm starting to wonder whether in Yorkshire, employers are discriminatory towards single parents. I know this is a big generalisation but due to my experience, this definitely seems to be the case. I have now decided to apply for jobs in Cambridge, as it seems employers are more open-minded there and more aware of their obligations regarding discrimination. I really hope I haven't offended anyone who is from Yorkshire or anywhere else up North, but I would really value some opinions on this matter. Thank you.

OP posts:
Blaablaablaa · 23/07/2018 22:18

Well, I think you know you are make some sweeping generalisations. Of course Yorkshire employers aren't specifically discriminatory. Are you sure you aren't reading too much into the questions? I don't mean to be rude but an interview panel would have to be pretty stupid to ask questions like that..... however, when I'm interviewing for a job that requires flexibility I ask the candidates how do they feel about working flexible, unsociable hours.....that's not because I'm discriminating against single parents it's just that that is a requirement of the job.

What sort of organisations are you applying to?

CheekyRedhead · 23/07/2018 22:23

Sounds like you are being picky with hours etc maybe you found it easier to get what you want in the past as you had no kids? Rose tinted glasses etc

If you are applying to small businesses they know how many hours they need an employee for. If they need someone pt or to start later than the rest of the team they would recruit one

Maybe look at alternative childcare options?

Original poster
Stillwinginit · 23/07/2018 22:24

Yes they are sweeping generalisations, but this has literally been my experience with all of my interviews. The organisations are mainly in the private sector - manufacturing, used commercial vehicles, automotive repairs.

OP posts:
SomeonesRealName · 23/07/2018 22:26

Our standard start time is 8.30am but many staff have adjusted hours have you tried asking them how flexible they can be?

heavandhell · 23/07/2018 22:31

Where abouts in Yorkshire? And many nurseries open before 9. The one my daughter attends opens at 7! And I'm in Yorkshire.

IfNot · 23/07/2018 22:31

They can't ask you about your childcare set up??! How can they "drag it out of you?"
I have never, ever mentioned ANYTHING about my personal circs in an interview. And if asked if I could be flexible I would state the hours and days I could work, and leave it at that. It's not Yorkshire though. Maybe it's that industry?
Try public/third sector.

HoleyCoMoley · 23/07/2018 22:33

.

Blaablaablaa · 23/07/2018 22:39

Sounds like it's the industries you're applying for. Its most definitely not a Yorkshire thing. Although, they can't ask you about your personal circumstances at interview but they can not employ you if you can't work the hours specified.

Try a different industry..... public sector is usually very flexible but tends to pay less. What about universities? Yorkshire has lots of those with large HR teams and they definitely offer a more flexible working environment

HoleyCoMoley · 23/07/2018 22:41

Whereabouts in Yorkshire are you looking for work. Have you considered working for the public sector, nhs, police, council. Some nhs trusts have creche and child care.

Original poster
Stillwinginit · 23/07/2018 22:45

Thanks for your advice. I think I will try the public sector as definitely more family friendly.

OP posts:
Original poster
Stillwinginit · 23/07/2018 22:48

I just want to add that I appreciate it sounds crazy to suggest that employers in Yorkshire are discriminatory, but with every single interview I have had, the interviewers have, in my opinion, been unprofessional and asked inappropriate questions. I'm in East Riding of Yorkshire.

OP posts:
yorkshireyummymummy · 23/07/2018 22:55

I think you sound barking and that you should go back to Cambridge.
Yes, every employer is discriminatory ‘oop north’ - didnt they tell you when you came through the flat cap customs to get in???

IfNot · 23/07/2018 23:15

Ah, well. East Yorkshire. Grin

Original poster
Stillwinginit · 23/07/2018 23:18

Why be so bitchy Yorkshiremummy? It is bloody hard being a single parent, struggling financially and trying desparately for a job and getting constant rejections. I came on here for support, not to be derided. I've been honest about my experiences with interviews since moving up to Yorkshire, I haven't said anything nasty. Yes I'll just eff off back to Cambridge. Thanks a bunch for your help!

OP posts:
yorkshireyummymummy · 23/07/2018 23:51

My mum was a single parent - back when they were not as prevalent as they are now- and I know some single mums too, all of whom work in Yorkshire.
The second half of my comment was self deprecating, conforming to a stereotype and displaying a dry sense of humour which Yorkshire folk are well known for.
Maybe if every interview you have been to has been discriminatory and you haven’t been offered the role - could it be something you are doing?? You are the common denominator, do you really really believe - or expect us to believe - that every company in Yorkshire you have approached has been discriminatory and broken the law??? God, I know we joke about flat caps, whippets and just getting electricity up here but to infer that every company you have been to has been asking questions like it’s still the 1950s is just awful. Only once have I ever been asked about children in an interview in Yorkshire. Once. In about 1995.

grumpy4squash · 24/07/2018 07:45

Cambridge isn't exactly the arse end of the UK! Also there are other places than just Yorkshire and Cambridge.

Hoppinggreen · 24/07/2018 08:13

I’ve been in Yorkshire my entire working life ( although I occasionally venture ovver t’border to Manchester) and I Ave never been asked about childcare
It’s you OP

Blaablaablaa · 24/07/2018 09:06

Sorry OP but I think you've got off lightly & u thought you'd get far more people taking umbridge at you casting aspersions about how dreadful and discriminatory Yorkshire employers are......tbh I had to really bite my tongue.

I suspect you had one bad experience and now you're looking for all potential employers to be like that so you can complain about how terrible it is up north compared to your beloved Cambridge.

You know you're being ridiculous.

WhatsGoingOnEh · 24/07/2018 09:48

Why did you move, if you didn't have a job already lined up?

GingerFoxInAT0phat · 24/07/2018 10:05

I'm close to you (Hull) and every interview barring one I was asked if I had sufficient childcare. Who would look after my child if they was ill?
One said I know I shouldn't be asking this but are you planning on having more children 🤔 I can't remember the names of all the places I interviewed at but Dfs and Evans Halshaw are two that I remember.

In another one the interviewer said something racist (not to me but a flippant remark that shocked me)

KatyaZamolodchikova · 25/07/2018 20:48

I work in HR, in Yorkshire. I’d love to help, OP, but wouldn’t want to end up being held responsible for all the shortcomings of my job, industry or my entire county.

MrsGrindah · 25/07/2018 20:54

Yes I’m in Yorkshire and can confirm that we don’t allow single parents across the border here!

Seriously OP it’s nothing to do with the county, may not even be the employers, it might just be the people interviewing you. You can either challenge them, ignore it or keep job hunting. But starting a thread implying it’s linked to the geographical area you are in is a bit batshit

NerrSnerr · 25/07/2018 20:56

I googled nurseries in East Yorkshire and this was the first result. tiptoes.co.uk/why-choose-tiptoes/

They're a chain and have nurseries in east Yorks that all open at 7.30! Obviously I don't know where you're based, no good if you're looking for work in Holderness but it's a start.

Hogwartssnitch · 25/07/2018 21:00

Actually op I am East Yorkshire too (Hull again) and I habe also been asked aboit childcare arrangements at all but one of the interviews I have had, usually around whether I have family to support with childcare and flexibility etc. I wouldn't think this was limited to Yorkshire though

Bigpizzalover · 25/07/2018 21:04

Starting at 9 is not unreasonable. I’m in Yorkshire, have 2DCs . I start at 9 and have an hours commute - DCs nursery opens at 7 and also does school drop off and pick up for the eldest.

I work and previously worked for big financial companies and my latest job did ask if I would be able to commit to full time hours, I think it’s pretty standard to ask those questions if it will impact your ability to meet the job spec.

Good luck with your job hunt