It took just seven hours into the job for Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s new Labour leader, to be asked about her plans to have children.
In response to further questioning on the topic, the 37-year-old politician said that asking women such questions in the workplace was “totally unacceptable”, adding that any plans to have children “should not pre-determine whether they are given a job or have job opportunities.”
In the UK, the law prohibits discrimination against women of childbearing age in the workplace; employers can’t ask questions about such plans in an interview setting or once hired, and women have the right to keep any plans they do have private. Yet in and out of the workplace, women continue to be challenged on their intentions.
Share your experiences
We want to hear from women of child-bearing age who have faced probing questions from employers about the intentions to have a baby.
Have you been asked questions about your gender, age or marital status that lead to probing questions about your intention to have children? Do you think you’ve missed out on jobs, opportunities or promotions because of it?How have you tackled such discrimination and has action been taken?
To get in touch, you can fill out the form below – anonymously if you prefer – and we’ll use some of your contributions in our reporting. Only the Guardian has access to your submissions which we will keep as secure as possible.
