A HAMPSHIRE blogger has accused employers of having an "antiquated" attitudes to recruiting women.

Ursula Tavender's comments come after new evidence revealed many believe it is reasonable to ask about plans to have children during a job interview.

A survey of over 1,100 decision-makers found that three out of five agreed a woman should have to disclose whether she is pregnant during the recruitment process and almost half thought it was ok to find out if women had young children.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said its study showed that many employers needed more support to better understand the basics of discrimination law and the rights of pregnant women and new mothers.

The 34-year-old blogger and equality campaigner from Warsash near Fareham founded Mumbelieveable in 2015 after having her son Xavier.

The blog encourages woman to boost their confidence when finding work and in day to day life.

She also works as a consultant who helps businesses become more inclusive to support working parents.

She said: "I am very disappointed and angry about the findings of the report.

"It's reinforcing our archaic stereotypes that are inaccurate and ultimately businesses are missing on talent by discriminating and putting woman who have children at a disadvantage and they cannot afford to.

"In 2015, when I went to look for a job after having my son I couldn't find anything that was compatible with my family commitments after I left my last full-time role in 2012.

"So I set up mumbelieveable to encourage businesses to stop losing people unnecessarily.

"There are very simple things that businesses can do to change their attitude and support their managers and employees."

EHRC chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath added: "It is a depressing reality that, when it comes the rights of pregnant woman and new mothers in the workplace, we are still living in the dark ages.

"We should all know very well that it is against the law not to appoint a woman because she is pregnant or might become pregnant.

"Yet we also know women routinely get asked questions around family planning in interviews."

The EHRC said its survey revealed antiquated beliefs, including two out of five saying women who have had more than one child while in the same job can be a "burden" to their team.

Half of those questioned said workers sometimes resented women who were pregnant or on maternity leave.

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said that women should not be forced to choose between having a career and a family.

She added: "But thousands are being forced from their job every year. Pregnancy discrimination scars lives and careers.

"Employers are getting away with breaking the law on an industrial scale."

Young Women's Trust chief executive Dr Carole Easton said employers and the economy were both missing out on the talents of young women.

She added: "Today's findings show many employers, given half a chance, would run roughshod over women's rights.

"It's no wonder women are held back in the workplace when people have such outdated, discriminatory views.

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