James Miller

 

Thursday, December 29, 2005

 

Employment and Risk

I’ve employed people for many years and when you take someone on for any job you are taking risks. A risk that they won’t be able to do the job, a risk that they are honest, a risk that they won’t leave in a few months taking your customers with them, a risk that they will have long term sickness and a risk that they will get pregnant. There is also the risk they won’t get on with other employees.

You add up all these risks and choose the best person.

You also add up what happens if you make a mistake and have to fire someone. Will they sue you for unfair discrimination? Will they throw a brick through your window? Or worse?

So adding up all these factors you make the decision.

I’m afraid that the pregnancy risk is likely to cost an employer more, than any settlement in a tribunal.

So many employers will take that risk and won’t hire women of childbearing age.

As an aside here, I should say that my only direct employee has been with me fifteen years and has had a child in that time.

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