On his Instagram account “Vorsorge_steffi”, a Swiss financial expert recently posted a publication on the theme of “discrimination of mothers in professional life”. Many women then contacted her to share their own experiences. One explained that he had been dismissed from his first day of work after his maternity leave, while others mentioned bosses who, in principle, do not engage young mothers or only childless women over 35, on the pretext that mothers are not flexible enough or that their children are often sick.
“The fact that women are disadvantaged on the job market due to their gender still exists,” said Jörg Buckmann, human resources expert. He believes that certain prejudices remain among employers, although sometimes unconsciously. However, the specialist does not want to put all the bosses in the same basket. “Most companies in Switzerland are doing a very good job. But if 1% or 2% of them have discriminatory behavior, it’s already too much. ” His solution? “We must continue to raise awareness, so that the executives show a different attitude.”
The Swiss Association of SMEs (SKV) stresses for its part that “in companies which have only a few employees, it is hardly possible to fully overcome an prolonged absence. Replacement solutions cost time and money. In addition, confidence cannot be established overnight. ” If SKV recognizes that it “remains a lot to do”, the association considers, however, that the attitude towards mothers who have worked has evolved positively in recent years.
Contacted by “20 minute”, the sociologist at the University of Zurich Katja Rost concedes that “parents – including fathers – who take care of children are more often absent from companies”. But it mainly deplores a lack of understanding. “We do not give enough value to children, neither in traditional form, with the devaluation of the housewife, nor in the modern form, with the devaluation of parents in the work environment.”
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