Have you ever had a potential employer ask about your child care arrangements in an interview?

I don't. In fact, I try not to mention children in interviews.

I guess it would depend on whether or not I believed they were asking to sell their company as family-friendly/flexible or warning you that they needed you there from X to X.

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01/30/2013 14:56

Subject: Have you ever had a potential employer ask about your child care arrangements in an interview?

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Anonymous

I had someone ask. I turned down the position -- it really put me off.

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01/30/2013 14:58

Subject: Re:Have you ever had a potential employer ask about your child care arrangements in an interview?

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Anonymous

Mine did, but I also telework part of the time and they asked me because of that.

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01/30/2013 14:58

Subject: Have you ever had a potential employer ask about your child care arrangements in an interview?

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Anonymous

I have only in context to how much time do I need to set up daycare. To me if they don't want to hire me because I have kids then we probably won't work well together.

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01/30/2013 15:00

Subject: Have you ever had a potential employer ask about your child care arrangements in an interview?

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Anonymous

It's illegal. Not okay.

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01/30/2013 15:01

Subject: Have you ever had a potential employer ask about your child care arrangements in an interview?

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Anonymous

Yes, if I ended up working until seven or even later. What was vexing was my child was already in high school and I explained that my child would take the bus home and do homework.

This person also asked if I rented or owned. We know that's not cool!

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01/30/2013 15:02

Subject: Have you ever had a potential employer ask about your child care arrangements in an interview?

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Anonymous

One time. I had to teach classes for the military as a consultant. The director of the consulting firm who managed the project asked me if I had back- up child care. (I actually taught HR and career development type classes at the time so I knew that it was borderline appropriate - perhaps veering in to illegal because I do not believe theybwould have asked a man the same question.). Anyway, I answered it because I knew what she was getting at- the classes started at 7 am, many of the bases took multiple layers of security to get in to, so you need to be there by 6:15 6:30. It would be hard to find a back- up instructor to call at 5am to cover. However, what I did say was that " I have a very reliable system in place and I have never not made it to a teaching engagement." I did not elaborate on my child care arrangements.

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01/30/2013 15:03

Subject: Have you ever had a potential employer ask about your child care arrangements in an interview?

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Anonymous

Nope, not OK with me either. as the interviewee, I would be pissed. I think the only time this should be discussed is after I have been offered the position, if I need to work out some sort of scheduling. But that is AFTER the offer.

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01/30/2013 15:08

Subject: Have you ever had a potential employer ask about your child care arrangements in an interview?

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Anonymous

I do not believe that an employer is legally allowed to ask whether you have children, and it is best not to bring it up.

This publication from the EEOC lists the many questions that employers cannot ask. You can actually report this employer for a violation.

http://www.eeotraining.eeoc.gov/images/content/EXCELHandouts/7F%20Avoiding%20Interviewing%20&%20Selection%20Pitfalls%20Handout.pdf

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01/30/2013 15:10

Subject: Re:Have you ever had a potential employer ask about your child care arrangements in an interview?

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Anonymous

I've had people ask what hours I'm available to work, and what flexibility my schedule has in it. In my case, I need standard office hours (9-5:30 or 8:30-5) because I have to pick DD up from daycare by 6. I can work from home later, and with a little bit of notice (i.e. not "Hey, can you stay another 2 hours?" as I'm walking out the door), I can stay later. But a flexible schedule or an office where 10-6 is the standard will not work for my situation.

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01/30/2013 15:11

Subject: Have you ever had a potential employer ask about your child care arrangements in an interview?

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Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:It's illegal. Not okay.

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01/30/2013 15:16

Subject: Re:Have you ever had a potential employer ask about your child care arrangements in an interview?

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Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:I've had people ask what hours I'm available to work, and what flexibility my schedule has in it. In my case, I need standard office hours (9-5:30 or 8:30-5) because I have to pick DD up from daycare by 6. I can work from home later, and with a little bit of notice (i.e. not "Hey, can you stay another 2 hours?" as I'm walking out the door), I can stay later. But a flexible schedule or an office where 10-6 is the standard will not work for my situation.

Do you take 1/2 hour for lunch? Or is 37.5 hours/week just standard in your line of work? Not judging, just curious.

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01/30/2013 15:25

Subject: Have you ever had a potential employer ask about your child care arrangements in an interview?

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Anonymous

I also was trying to switch jobs and my boss told my potential employer that I had pregnancy complications (I was pregnant at the time). I was so mad at her! To this day I hope and pray she is never able to have children!!