Forums > Social Discussion > Women with young children are the most discriminated-against at work
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grumpy poorly froggy
3,999 posts
Location: Nuneaton, United Kingdom
grumpy poorly froggy
3,999 posts
Location: Nuneaton, United Kingdom
Posted:
Mothers face 'job discrimination'
Women with young children are the most discriminated-against at work, a study published later will suggest.
A mother with a child aged under 11 is 45% less likely to be employed than a man, the Equalities Review will find.
The major report into inequality in the UK was commissioned by Tony Blair to examine how our lives are affected by race, gender and age.
Trevor Phillips, the chairman of the review, has said the cost of discrimination is borne by the country.
'So-called minorities'
The report's findings are expected to suggest women with young children face more discrimination in the workplace than disabled people or those from ethnic minorities.
It is also thought to say that the next most disadvantaged groups are Pakistani and Bangladeshi women.
Trevor Phillips, head of the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights, chaired the review panel.
He said all Britons could expect to be "part of some so-called minorities" at some stage in their lives.
"We'll all become old, we hope, at some point; we may not change our race but we may have a mixed race child", he told the BBC's Politics Show earlier this week.
"The fact that women are not employed at the same rate as men costs us in excess of £20bn.
"Disabled people don't have the same employment rates: another £9bn.
"All of these issues are issues for the whole country."
Mr Phillips is expected to argue inequality leads to lost tax revenue and increased benefit costs when the review is launched.
It is also thought he will call for the government to promote more family-friendly practices such as flexible contracts, so parents can choose when to work.
However, business leaders have expressed concerns that this will undermine competitiveness.
Story from BBC NEWS:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/6402933.stm
Published: 2007/02/28 03:50:25 GMT
© BBC MMVII
I was just after other peoples experiances of this. I have had the problem quite a few times so have decided to try and start up my own business so i can fit in around the kids.
Mothers face 'job discrimination'
Women with young children are the most discriminated-against at work, a study published later will suggest.
A mother with a child aged under 11 is 45% less likely to be employed than a man, the Equalities Review will find.
The major report into inequality in the UK was commissioned by Tony Blair to examine how our lives are affected by race, gender and age.
Trevor Phillips, the chairman of the review, has said the cost of discrimination is borne by the country.
'So-called minorities'
The report's findings are expected to suggest women with young children face more discrimination in the workplace than disabled people or those from ethnic minorities.
It is also thought to say that the next most disadvantaged groups are Pakistani and Bangladeshi women.
Trevor Phillips, head of the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights, chaired the review panel.
He said all Britons could expect to be "part of some so-called minorities" at some stage in their lives.
"We'll all become old, we hope, at some point; we may not change our race but we may have a mixed race child", he told the BBC's Politics Show earlier this week.
"The fact that women are not employed at the same rate as men costs us in excess of £20bn.
"Disabled people don't have the same employment rates: another £9bn.
"All of these issues are issues for the whole country."
Mr Phillips is expected to argue inequality leads to lost tax revenue and increased benefit costs when the review is launched.
It is also thought he will call for the government to promote more family-friendly practices such as flexible contracts, so parents can choose when to work.
However, business leaders have expressed concerns that this will undermine competitiveness.
Story from BBC NEWS:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/6402933.stm
Published: 2007/02/28 03:50:25 GMT
© BBC MMVII
I was just after other peoples experiances of this. I have had the problem quite a few times so have decided to try and start up my own business so i can fit in around the kids.
Life's too short to worry about where you put your marshmallows
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
Now, I *know* I'm going to get jumped on for this - I'm not saying I agree with it, or it's fair, it's just we are talking capitalism/commercialism here.
Employers are likely to discriminate against women with young children as an economic judgement.
For whatever reasons, it's still very much a stereotype of the mother being the "main parent". In an employers eyes, comparing a man and a woman - the latter comes with the likelihood of another kid (thus maternity leave - avg family being more than 2 kids), staying at home to look after ill child, and the possibility (which is actually quite high in some industries) of the mother leaving work to become a full-time parent.
There's lots of legislation in place to help mothers - for example, before leaving for maternity leave employers have to ask whether the mother intends to return to work afterwards. If she says yes, they have to keep her job for her, and aren't allowed to advertise it in any form. Yet there's nothing to stop the mother changing her mind after becoming a parent and saying that actually she's not coming back. Fair enough. BUT, that company has ust been paying her 50-80% salary for maternity leave for (up-to) 8 months, when effectively she left the job 8 months ago.
So basically, as an employer, it's a financial risk which let's be honest is what 99% of what most businesses are about...
Sad but true
Now, I *know* I'm going to get jumped on for this - I'm not saying I agree with it, or it's fair, it's just we are talking capitalism/commercialism here.
Employers are likely to discriminate against women with young children as an economic judgement.
For whatever reasons, it's still very much a stereotype of the mother being the "main parent". In an employers eyes, comparing a man and a woman - the latter comes with the likelihood of another kid (thus maternity leave - avg family being more than 2 kids), staying at home to look after ill child, and the possibility (which is actually quite high in some industries) of the mother leaving work to become a full-time parent.
There's lots of legislation in place to help mothers - for example, before leaving for maternity leave employers have to ask whether the mother intends to return to work afterwards. If she says yes, they have to keep her job for her, and aren't allowed to advertise it in any form. Yet there's nothing to stop the mother changing her mind after becoming a parent and saying that actually she's not coming back. Fair enough. BUT, that company has ust been paying her 50-80% salary for maternity leave for (up-to) 8 months, when effectively she left the job 8 months ago.
So basically, as an employer, it's a financial risk which let's be honest is what 99% of what most businesses are about...
Sad but true
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Stargazer
6,650 posts
6,650 posts
Posted:
I have to side that. Women should not HAVE TO work at least the first three years of motherhood - unfortunately society doesn't provide enough support for this.
Discrimination should not happen, qualification should be the determining factor. Even though I think it's ridiculous, it seems to be a natural preference to favour the "own" race.
IMO the biggest problem is unemployment and the rally to minimize efforts/ workforce in the West - and to shift those jobs to China...
I have to side that. Women should not HAVE TO work at least the first three years of motherhood - unfortunately society doesn't provide enough support for this.
Discrimination should not happen, qualification should be the determining factor. Even though I think it's ridiculous, it seems to be a natural preference to favour the "own" race.
IMO the biggest problem is unemployment and the rally to minimize efforts/ workforce in the West - and to shift those jobs to China...
the best smiles are the ones you lead to 
Stargazer
6,650 posts
6,650 posts
Posted:
This should include that companies have to pay taxes and social fees for all machines they use to replace humans with AND double taxes and import duties for companies who outsource their workforce, PLUS double the income tax for the managers who are making these decisions...
:P
YAY for GNH instead of GNP!!!
This should include that companies have to pay taxes and social fees for all machines they use to replace humans with AND double taxes and import duties for companies who outsource their workforce, PLUS double the income tax for the managers who are making these decisions...
:PYAY for GNH instead of GNP!!!
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
5,814 posts
Location: Perth, Australia
Carpal \'Tunnel
5,814 posts
Location: Perth, Australia
Posted:
I would be concerned about employing a mum whose young kids are in daycare. I hated having to take time off work and having my coworkers have to take up the slack when my kids were unwell. Its part of the reason I havent gone back to work as I dont think its fair to an employer to have a worker who takes regular days off for sick kids. We are lucky that we can live on one wage almost comfortably so the choice was there about whether to work or not.
If the child is sick the day care and school justifyably wont take them (even though chances are the illness was contracted at daycare or school ) and so the parents have to take time off work,often as their own sick days. Businesses are there for their own profit not to employ people. In an equal situation who do you employ? Im not saying discrimination is ok, but its hard to want to punish a business for good business sense.
On the other side a number of businesses over here are experiencing trouble getting workers to the point where they now have school shifts aimed at parents of school aged children but still allows them to be at home when the kids are.
I would be concerned about employing a mum whose young kids are in daycare. I hated having to take time off work and having my coworkers have to take up the slack when my kids were unwell. Its part of the reason I havent gone back to work as I dont think its fair to an employer to have a worker who takes regular days off for sick kids. We are lucky that we can live on one wage almost comfortably so the choice was there about whether to work or not.
If the child is sick the day care and school justifyably wont take them (even though chances are the illness was contracted at daycare or school ) and so the parents have to take time off work,often as their own sick days. Businesses are there for their own profit not to employ people. In an equal situation who do you employ? Im not saying discrimination is ok, but its hard to want to punish a business for good business sense.
On the other side a number of businesses over here are experiencing trouble getting workers to the point where they now have school shifts aimed at parents of school aged children but still allows them to be at home when the kids are.
Is it the Truth?
Is it Fair to all concerned?
Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
Im in a lonely battle with the world with a fish to match the chip on my shoulder. Gnu in Binnu in a cnu
BRONZE Member
Pooh-Bah
1,872 posts
Location: Canada
Pooh-Bah
1,872 posts
Location: Canada
Posted:
Good point, and I might add, that most employees are motivated by their own profit ideals too and quite often, being an employee carries considerably less risk and stress than being a business owner does.
Written by: Gnor
I
. Businesses are there for their own profit not to employ people. In an equal situation who do you employ? Im not saying discrimination is ok, but its hard to want to punish a business for good business sense.
Good point, and I might add, that most employees are motivated by their own profit ideals too and quite often, being an employee carries considerably less risk and stress than being a business owner does.
BRONZE Member
grumpy poorly froggy
3,999 posts
Location: Nuneaton, United Kingdom
grumpy poorly froggy
3,999 posts
Location: Nuneaton, United Kingdom
Posted:
Durbs i actualy agree and i can see it from the employers side of things. its the reason why it was fair enough that i didn't get many of the jobs i applied for. i was honest with them and told them from day one that my kids came first. they have to as far as i am concernd.
in the ideal world us parents (not just mums) would be able to work the hours we want with a good wage and spend loads of time with the kids. its not going to happen. hense my own business(which by the way 87wt2gxq7 is going to be what i do now but getting money for it, ie making stuff. like costumes, hoops, sags, poi and some pagan items too)
Gnor agreed it makes better business sense to have a stable work force.
Durbs i actualy agree and i can see it from the employers side of things. its the reason why it was fair enough that i didn't get many of the jobs i applied for. i was honest with them and told them from day one that my kids came first. they have to as far as i am concernd.
in the ideal world us parents (not just mums) would be able to work the hours we want with a good wage and spend loads of time with the kids. its not going to happen. hense my own business(which by the way 87wt2gxq7 is going to be what i do now but getting money for it, ie making stuff. like costumes, hoops, sags, poi and some pagan items too)
Gnor agreed it makes better business sense to have a stable work force.
Life's too short to worry about where you put your marshmallows
BRONZE Member
old hand
929 posts
Location: Oregon, USA
old hand
929 posts
Location: Oregon, USA
Posted:
I'd have to agree to. That article is purposly slanted to make it feel like outright discrimination. It's mainly just good business sense. That is if they are not hiring because you're the "main parent", and not because you're merely a woman with a child. No employer would want someone who has to retain the ability to drop everything and leave at a moments notice.
The standard 'equal rights' statement goes something like,
"discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability."
Now it would be interesting to see the rates of single fathers in full custody of their children and see how they match up.
I'd have to agree to. That article is purposly slanted to make it feel like outright discrimination. It's mainly just good business sense. That is if they are not hiring because you're the "main parent", and not because you're merely a woman with a child. No employer would want someone who has to retain the ability to drop everything and leave at a moments notice.
The standard 'equal rights' statement goes something like,
"discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability."
Now it would be interesting to see the rates of single fathers in full custody of their children and see how they match up.
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BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
5,814 posts
Location: Perth, Australia
Carpal \'Tunnel
5,814 posts
Location: Perth, Australia
Posted:
Good plan GothFrogs. Im toying with making stuff to sell as well but my short attention span works against me here.
Fluffy poi/staff head covers I get requests for as well as cone poi and hoops. I find it hard when its my friends buying from me but the local circus shop has offered to stock stuff for me as will a friend with a gift shop so look around for retailers as well as online.
I also run workshops at schools for specialist classes. Thats nice easy money if you can score it. I also still think there is a market in retirement homes to sell poi as excercise but make stress ball poi so they wont bruise.
Good plan GothFrogs. Im toying with making stuff to sell as well but my short attention span works against me here.
Fluffy poi/staff head covers I get requests for as well as cone poi and hoops. I find it hard when its my friends buying from me but the local circus shop has offered to stock stuff for me as will a friend with a gift shop so look around for retailers as well as online.
I also run workshops at schools for specialist classes. Thats nice easy money if you can score it. I also still think there is a market in retirement homes to sell poi as excercise but make stress ball poi so they wont bruise.
Is it the Truth?
Is it Fair to all concerned?
Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
Im in a lonely battle with the world with a fish to match the chip on my shoulder. Gnu in Binnu in a cnu
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