Personal Questions from agents

[ChrisPackit]

In permie jobs they prefer men with children as they are unlikely to walk out of the job.

With women they prefer it the other way round.

Strange. I would've thought from an employers point of view, that a more mature lady who has had the kids and they have grown up, would be the more attractive prospect.

Personally, I have been in this position a few years ago, where I had the opportunity to employ a youngish girl with no kids / commitments. As a small business employer, and as sad as it is to admit, I didn't employ her due to one of the reasons being I simply couldn't afford to employ her if she were to go off on maternity. This must be a consideration for other small companies too I would guess...

I'm ready for a barrage of 'sexist' comments, but in the real world this is a consideration when the difference is keeping your head above water or not.

[SueEllen]

Strange. I would've thought from an employers point of view, that a more mature lady who has had the kids and they have grown up, would be the more attractive prospect.

Personally, I have been in this position a few years ago, where I had the opportunity to employ a youngish girl with no kids / commitments. As a small business employer, and as sad as it is to admit, I didn't employ her due to one of the reasons being I simply couldn't afford to employ her if she were to go off on maternity. This must be a consideration for other small companies too I would guess...

I'm ready for a barrage of 'sexist' comments, but in the real world this is a consideration when the difference is keeping your head above water or not.

You could say it depends on the size of the employer but really it actually depends on the industry the company is in.

If you are in a company where the turnover your staff is every 1-2 years - and there are legal ways of getting rid of staff - then it's not really a risk.

Also from my friends and acquaintances I know more women who have been pushed out of jobs due to being pregnant who didn't seek redress then did.

Anyway women can have children from when you can legally employ them at 16 until their 50s. I've met a few woman who have had their last child in their late 40s naturally with a large age gap between their other children. Men can be a father at any age.

Personally having employed young people part-time and having worked with young people in different roles, if I had to employ someone permanently full-time I would actually go for someone much older due to reliability. Yes there are some reliable young people out there but the majority I've had the pleasure to work with are not.

[TykeMerc]

Personally, I have been in this position a few years ago, where I had the opportunity to employ a youngish girl with no kids / commitments. As a small business employer, and as sad as it is to admit, I didn't employ her due to one of the reasons being I simply couldn't afford to employ her if she were to go off on maternity. This must be a consideration for other small companies too I would guess...

I'm ready for a barrage of 'sexist' comments, but in the real world this is a consideration when the difference is keeping your head above water or not.

It's not sexist, it's a politically incorrect reality of small business. It can and does kill some businesses, I used to drink with a lad who had to close his Insurance Brokerage after 3 of his 5 staff went on maternity in 1 quarter.

[ChrisPackit]

I used to drink with a lad who had to close his Insurance Brokerage after 3 of his 5 staff went on maternity in 1 quarter.

The same happened to me and my business, though not through maternity issues. The whole ordeal is very stressful, and I don't envy anyone in that position...

[TykeMerc]

Back on topic I can see why people could be uncomfortable answering personal questions, as TAV said it could have just been some rapport building, but if phrased badly it could easily come across as intrusive.

I shouldn't be surprised at Pogle's post (I don't doubt it either), but in context that must be pretty damned annoying.

[NotAllThere]

You lot are SO cynical after dealing with so much bulltulip from so many agents over the years- no wonder we have this bulltulip sueing culture. >

ftfy