Asking a woman "who will be taking care of your child while you're at work" is an illegal job interview ?

Question

question since it indicates that the interviewer is assuming childcare to be a woman's job (sexist). How do you feel about that?

Answer 1

What the h**l does it have to do with the employer whether the child is at daycare or a nanny/the father/grandmother/grandfather/other relative is looking after the child? I've been responsible for hiring people in a previous position and I can say that childcare was the last thing on my mind. The only circumstance I can think this should be allowed to be asked is if the interviewee is applying for a job with a lot of responsibility - where it is absolutely vital they are available - and in such circumstances this question if anything would be asked of both male and female applicants with children (but it is illegal).

Answer 2

Depends where... In China, it is even legal to ask, "Will your child be able to do work for you if you get sick?"

Answer 3

You are quite right about the imbalance: there are not all that many questions in interviews that cannot be asked of white men.  There are many that are disallowed for women and other ethnic groups, at least where I live.

I actually don't get too worked up about it.  As an employer, there is a part of me that worries about hiring a parent who paints a pretty picture at the interview, then uses the system to protect themselves when they chronically arrives late to work or needs time off for children.  It has not happened to me yet because I have good systems in place for child-care and so on, but I have seen it in places where I have worked before.  The employer almost always loses and pays out, big time.  

Do I have a greater fear with women specifically?  A little, and I put this down to human frailty, not rampant sexism on my part.  Thus far my trust in people not abusing the system has worked out very well.

Answer 4

It ought to be illegal because it's none of their business anyway.

Answer 5

There are many things that cannot be asked in job interviews anymore and all candidates must be asked the same thing.  Still, I agree with you, this thought cannot be erased from the mind of people and has to be something lurking there even if not asked.

If it is asked only of a woman, then it is sexist.  

Answer 6

Asking anyone that question is illegal.    

Answer 7

It seems to me a perfectly sensible question to ask.  Why would anyone want to give a job to a woman who hasn't got childcare sorted out?

Childcare IS a woman's job, very few men are interested in doing it.

Answer 8

If they ask this of a man and a woman, it's not sexist. If they ask this without actually knowing whether there are children, it's discriminatory in a different manner.

Answer 9

It is, but the ball is in their court and the question is important because it lets them know if you;re going to be unable to work your shifts every day or not.