How do you react to these comments about Women in the Workplace?

Question

Sir Alan Sugar, in the uk version of the TV series "The apprentice" said this:

"Alan Sugar, Amstrad founder, Apprentice star and government business adviser, repeatedly challenged a law instituted more than three decades ago. This law was one of the big wins of the 1970s feminist movement, making it illegal for women to be asked at interview whether they plan to have children, on the grounds that it is clearly discriminatory: a chance for employers to weed out any woman who wants to combine a family with work. "You're not allowed to ask, so it's easy," said Sugar, "just don't employ them."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/01/gender.women

Answer 1

LOL!  I don't react.  What an idiot.

Answer 2

So he is willing to loose out on great potential because of prejudice. Now that is surely a man I would hate to work for. Prejudiced and only interested in money Yuk!

Answer 3

Hmmm.... I was gonna... nah... for get it.

Answer 4

Well i have traveled all over and my CV reflects that. i would expect to be discriminated against on the grounds that i may take the job but not be fully committed.

its not really discrimination, just an employer trying to make the best possible decision for the company, grow up.

Answer 5

Glad I don't live in the UK.

Answer 6

How does he get away with that?

Honestly, I don't see why big business hasn't figured out how to job share.  Two part-time employees can cost less than one full time employee.  Why are there so few opportunities for this?

Answer 7

I'd imagine that he's trying to get some press coverage.

Still, I think any employer who doesn't hire a woman just because she might have kids is putting him or herself at a serious disadvantage.  You're limiting your choice of employees severely, which isn't the best way to make a business competitive.

Also, this assumes that women are the only ones who take time away from work to be with their kids - this is incorrect now, and will only become more inaccurate as a younger, more involved generation of potential dads go into the workforce.  My husband would love to stay home with any kids we have - we'll probably fight over it.  

Sir Alan is just trying to get some attention, and is also showing his age.

Answer 8

It just shows how far the corporate world still has to go to handle parents.