[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Livia

Because there will come a time when Candidate No.2's kid is sick, and backs are to the wall, and a deadline is looming... and her mind will be at home and not on the job. Maybe she could build a career with a more suitable company. Maybe Mumsnet is hiring?

Well kids aren't the only "possible" interruption to someone's life. What if a parent gets sick? What if a partner is seriously ill? What if someone has an accident and requires care for disabilities?

What if? What if? What if? You can't pass someone over for a job on the off chance something could happen. Nobody knows what life will hold.

A kid being off school ill doesn't always necessitate time off for the employee anyway.