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This topic is always bound to raise the blood pressure of many women, and men too I suppose, but according to recent reports many employers are now questioning the reasoning behind employing women of childbearing age. With women in the UK having earned generous maternity rights with regards to the workplace employers are claiming that to employ a female who then falls pregnant soon after comes at too high a cost to their business.

Employers want the right to be able to question a potential female employee about her plans for starting a family during the interview process. We all know that this is now illegal and considered discriminatory, but I have to admit that I believe employers do have the right to know if the woman they are employing is going to stick around beyond a few months. Such a line of questioning could of course be broached in a reasonable manner - pregnant employees do cost money to maintain. Colleagues have to cover for them on their days off for medical appointments, their position has to be preserved for them should they wish to return to their job after the birth. Is this fair on the employer?

As a woman I find it worrying that many employers, including female employers, are deciding that it is better not to employ a young woman at all rather than risk this situtation. If this catches on imagine the consequences. Women with children do have to work in many cases, whilst many do not need to so much other than for their own interests. So, what are we supposed to do…leave school and sit at home knitting whilst we await menopause? and even then try getting your foot on the corporate ladder when you are a woman in your late forties/early fifties.

Fortunately there are businesses where women employees are valued highly; they provide creche facilities, flexible work arrangements and understanding attitudes. It would be fantastic if the workplace right across the board could be like this…but it is not, by a long shot. Not all businesses can afford to be so accommodating - even if they wished to be.

I believe there has to be some compromise here. Employers must have rights. No-one is entitled to an particular job, that is the employer’s choice. If I wish to create a position whereby I will spend money and time training an employee expecting to eventually recoup that time and expense through their work results, surely I retain the privilege to enquire whether or not they intend to commit to my business and their job on a steady and continual basis beyond six/12 months? is it my right to have an idea whether this potential employee will enhance my business or merely end up costing me money?

I certainly would not be offended if an employer asked me such questions in a job interview - that would tell me that he/she will value my contribution to their business and that they intend for me to be a permanent member of their team. An employer does not owe me a lifestyle; an employer is not responsible for my family life; an employer is paying me to do a job for them. What we need is honesty and compromise from both sides, and a Govt that recognises the need to support businesses that need to employ women.

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