A write up in the Sunday Telegraph, 20th March 2011, has referred to the issue of women in the workforce and whether they should disclose their ‘plans’ to start or broaden their family, during a job interview.  According to some experts, a woman’s willingness to disclose this information will help their efforts in securing a position.

 
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/debate-over-whether-working-women-should-have-to-disclose-family-plans/story-e6freuy9-1226024614077

If you want my opinion, disclosing such information will only aid the employer to make a decision about the candidates they have before them.  That’s not to say the woman who disclosed the information won’t get the job.  But there are many who would fail dismally in their pursuit of a new job.  In this fast paced and competitive world, how can we be sure the interviewer would be fair in assessing a female applicant solely on her abilities when she is stating her potential employer may need to consider her ‘personal circumstances’ before she is even employed?! 

Recruiting costs money – whether conducted in-house or outsourced, which affects the company’s bottom line.  Furthermore, maternity leave costs money, in terms of holding the position open for a period of time and employing someone to fulfill the role temporarily.  There is always a down-time or cross-over period for training and handover and this all costs money.  You don’t need to be a wiz to work out how an employer could potentially make a decision, in favour of the male candidate, if the male candidate can match the female in attributes, skill set and qualification.  However, if you have a good relationship with your existing Manager it could be beneficial to discuss your future plans.  But beware of the pitfalls here too.

Let’s face it. men are at an advantage.  They don’t have a breakaway from the workforce, whether it be one week to give birth, a full twelve (12) months of maternity leave or a five (5), ten (10) or in some cases a twenty (20) year break in employment to raise a family.  During this period women do miss emerging trends and technology in the workplace and can often just feel disconnected and doubt their ability to return to the workforce.  A woman faced with these issues would benefit from professional career development guidance, however, I would certainly not encourage her to go out into the big wide world and boast about her plans to have another child!

Interestingly no one discusses the option for a man to divulge his plans to take twelve (12) months paternity leave when his wife gives birth!