Job interviews: what to say when they ask about children?

[BettyNoir]

I'm newly back on the job hunt, having been made redundant recently. It's been a good 9 years since I last had to go for an interview, and I was wondering how likely it is an interviewer might ask whether or not I have any kids, and how to approach it if I do?

I've been married for 7 years, but we have no children...yet. As a married woman of childbearing age (I'm 32), I was thinking at least *some* prospecive employers will want to know whether we have kids or not, wondering about the probability of them hiring me and then having me bugger off on maternity pay for 6 months. I know officialy they can't descriminate, but that doesn't mean it doesn't go on, so what would be the best thing to say if an interviewer says "do you have any children?"

Thanks!

Betty

[237SJ]

Well, the truthful answer at the moment would be no so I`d leave it at that.

[China Doll]

I'm 32 and have no children. I would say 'no'.

[chelle7272]

An employer should not ask you that in an interview anyway with the new equality law.
If they do I'd question their reason, however if you don't wish to do that as you might want to work for them despite that, you should just be honest.

[BettyNoir]

well, this is true. The absolutely honest answer would be no...but we would like a baby in the next couple of years, not that I would say that because they'd probably never hire me. I just don't want it to sound like I'm hiding anything, I was thinking an abrupt "no" would sound a bit odd but I don't want to go too far the other way and come off like a child hater.

[redcrx]

you know that you dont have to take 6 months off work when you have a child.

anyway, you can just say no you dont have any and have no plans at present.

[China Doll]

The answer is 'no.' If you get pregnant in the next two years then so be it. You're going to look pretty daft if you get a job and the interviewers/staff start asking after your imaginary kids.

[BettyNoir]

LOL.

I just wondered, as a friend of mine went for a job interview recently. She is a couple of years younger than me and lives with her long term boyfriend, and they have no kids. The interviewer (a man) asked her whether she had any children, she gave him a straight "no". he wanted to know why she didn't have any children, whether she planned to have any, and what her plans might be should she have a child - i.e how much maternity leave would she want to take, would she come back at all, if so, would she be wanting flexible hours and the like. My friend got a bit flustered and didn't know what to say to this barrage of questions and just told him she didn't think kids were for her really and it wasn't likely she was going to get herself pregnant and leave them in the lurch.

She didn't get the job, (incidentally they gave it to a man) and told her they didn't think she would fit in (everyone else in the office was male also except the junior) She's not saying they were sexist as such, just that she felt like they were treating her like some kind of weak female, she's a furniture designer and a lot of her peers are male.

[ganesh]

Don't you have to be employed for a certain amount of time before they can give you maternity leave anyway?
Why not have a baby now instead,whilst youre unemployed and then look for a job next year when you can answer yes!

[ganesh]

Also,I know it's discrimination and they wouldn't ask a male,but I don't blame the employer for worrying that it may happen.

[tigwig]

I dont blame the employer either ganesh and now they keep saying fathers should get 12 months paternity leave as well! As if!
Sorry Betty now I will answer you, as others have said you can only say no if they ask you. If they started with the questions that your friend had then I would politely tell them to bugger off! I would also say that you have no interest in having children either. You are allowed to change your mind later and they wouldnt no any different. I feel for both sides really as for women like you you shouldnt be discriminated against but on the other side it must be very hard for an employer to sort out replacement staff etc when someone is on mat leave.

[4getmenot]

I'm exactly same age as you, was made redundant in feb from a job I'd been in 14 years. I had about 8 interviews before I bagged my present one and not one asked me about children or home life.

[4getmenot]

and ganesh you dont have to be in a job for a certain amount of time to get statutory maternity pay

[boxtops]

I remember being quizzed in this way many years ago about my intentions, it was difficult then to know what to say - but now they are simply not able to ask these sort of questions, any more than to ask a man if his wife's going to be pregnant and will he need paternity leave!

[Eve]

I don't think you are allowed to ask under discrimination laws, similarly age (unless a position is age restricted like bar staff I guess), sexual orientation etc...

When doing recruitment consultancy, we weren't allowed to ask anything like that.

[4getmenot]

and if you do get a job and want kids dont wait because of the job, if you feel you are ready then to try then do it. I really want a baby and have a fantastic job now but I cant put that ahead of m happiness just wish I'd found this job years ago.