Don’t be angry at Halligan... save it for workplace culture punishing mothers
WOMEN FACE ‘UNFAIR PRESSURE’ Minister’s gaffe not ‘hanging offence’, says Taoiseach
BY
It was this loaded line of interview questioning that led to Minister John Halligan becoming – unfairly – the new villain in the latest pantomime “sexist” storm.
It’s understandable how such queries could make a mother of two feel she’d been passed over for the job and the Workplace Relations Commission agreed.
But the subsequent mediafuelled hysterical reaction missed the bigger picture – if you think job interviews are discriminatory against women who want a career and children, wait until you’re in the job itself.
Any working mother will tell you that discrimination in the workplace is rife against those trying to balance the day job with raising kids.
A UK survey last year showed that the majority of working mothers have experienced
Any working mother will tell you that discrimination is rife in the workplace LARISSA NOLAN ON THE FURORE AROUND THE MINISTER
inequality due to their status – with reports of being sidelined, losing out on promotions and even being threatened with dismissal.
A recent ESRI survey in Ireland found women are twice as likely to face prejudice in work – and never-married lone parents (84% of which are women) are most at risk of being discriminated against in the public and private services.
It’s a sharp reality check for new mothers, who naively expect to continue on in careers post-baby, just as we did before, when we were free at all hours, not hampered by family commitments.
When I became pregnant with my son in 2009, I remember being fiercely indignant that the response to my news in work was less about congratulations and more about concern. How Taoiseach Leo Varadkar would I cope? Did I think I could do my job anymore? How offensive! I remember thinking. How outdated!
But I ended up leaving office jobs and working for myself when I realised there is no leeway given to those who are raising the next generation.
Generally, there is no accommodation made for anyone who has to go to a sick child, or attend a parent-teacher meeting, or who could do with flexi-time to suit childcare MINISTER Halligan appears to be in the clear following his embarrasing sexits remarks gaffe after receiving backing from the Taoiseach. Speaking at the Fine Gael
national conference in Cavan, arrangements. You’re stressed, you’re oppressed, you suffer burnout.
It’s no wonder a recent study found that two out of three Irish mothers would choose to stay at home with their children, given the choice.
The workplace is a hostile environment for mothers, who are often made to feel useless, uncooperative and workshy, when in fact they are highly capable, organised women who never take a day off. Leo Varadkar said Mr Halligan’s wrongs were not “hanging” offences.
Junior Minister John Halligan has apologised for asking a job candidate whether she was married and had children and has promised to pay the €7,500 his Government The Minister of ensure my workplace State explained is as family he only asked friendly as the question possible.” to reassure the That is a stance interviewee. that is to be
He said: “I commended, not wanted her to condemned. know I would be Don’t be angry flexible in terms of The Irish Mirror at John Halligan –
story on interview scandal any family business be angry at the she may have to attend to. inherent workplace culture that
“Too many workplaces have punishes those who prioritise less than family friendly family instead of rewarding arrangements and I always them. department was forced to pay for the offence by the Workplace Relations Commission.
Mr Varadkar seems willing to draw a line under it.
He said: “First of all I think what he did was absolutely wrong, absolutely inappropriate to ask anybody in an interview about their family status, or their marital status for that matter.
“I don’t think it was a hanging offence. I don’t think it would merit ending Mr Halligan’s political career, but I don’t think what he did was acceptable, it was wrong.”