Mother CAN'T find work?

[WA-Mom]

I am a mother of 5 boys ages 2-8. I have been home for the last 3 years. i am ready to return to work. I have been looking for several months. I have had several interviews and all go well until I mention my children. Why is this? It is making me crazy? I am a college graduate with years of good experience. Why are employers scared to hire mothers? I don't get it...

Mom in Washington, United States

[richee]

strip club

[WA-Mom]

sick man with too much time on your hands

[buildersmate]

In the UK it is because, without other evidence to validate to the contrary, on pure statistical terms a mum of 5 children under 9 is likely to need a lot of time off from work at short notice. And UK employment laws mean that the balance of legal entitlement has shifted towards the individual and away from the employer. Now please don't think I'm passing judgement on the rights or wrongs of that. But it is fact.
Therefore an average employer is going to take a long hard look before deciding to invest resources in such an individual. Unless one is an employer who is used to and accepts such an arrangement, but generally this aligns to low-wages jobs, not-too-good employers or work where it doesn't matter if it is done today or tomorrow. The number of those sorts of jobs are in decline.
I don't know how to help demonstrate one's commitment or that it can work without undue disruption perceived by the employer. But good luck.

[WA-Mom]

Thank you, it all makes sense. BUT it is not right at all. I am a great eployee that gives my all i every job that I have had. Always be told I was welcome back to any of my past jobs. I have letters of recom., letters from clints that have been beyond pleased with my service, and awards/promotions in very job that I have had...My children should not be a consideration. I am the on looking for empoyment, i am in a sense selling myself, my skills, my experience in the work force. That all should matter, no the number or age of my children. Heck, the Reb Vise Pres is a mom of 5, with chidren under 9. It makes me sad toknow that I m being exclude, punished for the choice of becoming a mother.

Thank you again for your thoughts...

[Clarkey72]

Hello Mom in US,
Im a mum in Liverpool, England and am experiencing the same thing-sort of. I had my daughter 22 months ago and have been looking for part time work for 6-8months - with no joy. I too am a University graduate (5 years) in Graphic design, have vast and varied experience, even worked on a National newspaper. I appreciate the fact that no companies will take on a part time graphic designer so haven't even applied for those jobs, so I applied and had an interview for a general post in a supermarket, which you'll know as Walmart, just stacking shelves, checkout girl, yet failed to get the job. And do you know what, the fact that I told them I was Uni educated and a mum- sadly and unfortunately went against me. I have now, come to the conclusion that the positions you and I are are probably applying for, we are more qualified than the person who would be interviewing you, they cant understand why you want to work there and probably think you will leave to pastures new early in your employment with them, but they also see you as a potential "taking lots of time off" employee because you have chidren - which is 'child-ist" for want of a better term. I, personally, am now contemplating omitting from my CV certain things, and it outrages me that Im thinking of doing it, but Im intriguednto see how far I get, even for a shelf stacker, if I DONT tell them I have a degree and a child. If I do and am successful in getting a job- what are they to do when I have to? Sack me because I lied on my application? Maybe so but thats the chance Im willing to take. If I had the chance to prove to them that those factors dont effect my ability as an employee surely then they would see me for what I or you can do for them. It comes to a point of 'play them at their own game' and if youre worth your salt in your job they wont want to lose you. Then, its on your terms. Might be wrong but it sometimes takes a step back to go forward?
With respect, kind

[richee]

be a hooker

[mamatwo]

i know it's not right but i got so fed up when i was job hunting i took my daughter off my c.v. (it still looked ok as i'd been at college). i told my now employer about my daughter at the end of my second interview and assurred them about my support network and what would happen if she was ill etc.

[WA-Mom]

Well I ave great news! I have a ewjob. I have ben there for 2 weeks and it is going very well. Itis an office job. My boss knows I have 5 children. They started Child Care when I started my job. Well 3 of them, the babies,got sick. All have gone to the Doctor and have received medicine, but I had to miss 1 an 1/2 days of work already. They were great about it. They understood and made me believe it was fine. I am so relieved, but stil worried that they won't be so understanding in the long run...Heater