Sexism in the Spanish work place?

[acmench]

So, this has been on my mind lately and wanted your opinions on the matter. Is sexism prevalent in the Spanish work place? Perhaps sexism isn't the right word... I'll explain better.

My husband and I are planning a move to Madrid in early 2007. He's Spanish, I'm American - we met while I was living in Madrid but we married and have been living in the States for the past few years. I'm a civil engineer by trade and plan to work in that when we return to Madrid - now that I'll be legal (I taught English when I lived there 2001-2003).

I've heard from friends that the interview in Spain can be somewhat of a shock to the PC ears of your typical American. For example, I've heard that an interviewer will ask if you're married, if you have kids, if you're planning on having kids in the future, etc. Those questions would never fly in an American company, certainly not during the hiring process. Has anyone had experience with this? Or any other kind of sexist (for lack of a better word) behavior at work? My discipline is somewhat male-dominated anyway, and I'm just curious about what to expect.

[Marina]

Althought I've heard that sometimes people are asked questions like that I've never expirienced it myself in the job interviews that I've taken, and quite frankly if they ask me any of those questions I don't think I would want to work for that particular company as that belongs to my personal life.

What apparently are sexiest are the salaries as men tend to earn between 20 and 30% more than a woman in the same position.:eek:

[acmench]

Thanks, Marina! That's somewhat comforting. I have to agree with you - I wouldn't want to work for a company that made my personal life thier business. And what a shame about the salaries!!

[Brian]

Marina,What are some of the questions that are off-limits in a job interview or selection process? Are there hiring discrimination laws in Spain?I've often seen what would be discriminatory practices here in the US, including asking age, marital status, and requiring a picture as part of the process.

[acmench]

I remember being surprised to find that a lot of people in Spain put pictures on their resumes. Some of the language academies even requested a picture right in the job listing.

[ValenciaSon]

If the governments in Spain doesn't have it, i'm surprised there isn't an EU standard for interviewing conduct as there is in the US.

[greytop]

If the governments in Spain doesn't have it, i'm surprised there isn't an EU standard for interviewing conduct as there is in the US.
It's a simple process
1. Countries in the EU have their own laws
2. The EU issue rules for member countries to follow
3. Countries modify their laws to suit the EU
4. Britain adds new layers to the EU requirement
5. Everywhere except Britain ignores the new laws.
:rolleyes:

[Marina]

I guess that there are some guide lines to conduct an interview, but probably not every company follows them. I can't tell you much about interviews nowadays as I've been in working in the same place for 6 years and my previous expiriences have been somehow "normal". No personal questions at all.

In my opinion sometimes they ask that kind of question to see the reaction that they get more than for the answer itself. For example if you get upset and show it or if even if you get upset you don't show it.

I know it is kind of wierd to attach a photo to a cv, but it is true that is the norm in Spain.

[rob]

It's a simple process
3. Countries modify their laws to suit the EU


EU laws take precedent over any pre-existing domestic laws

[gary]

EU laws take precedent over any pre-existing domestic laws

Yes but lots of them are just ignored by many EU countries

[Rezza]

Problem in Czech rep. - EU recommends something, our politicians accepts it in much more strict manner and than everyone has to ignore it and break... Now the problem are passports for children - every year new passport, with new photo (and of course with neutral face) and even for babies (with neutral face too)...
We have special laws about work discrimination... No age, no photo, no personal related questions... But... :( I think it is required by EU, so in Spain too... But I'm not sure...

[omeyas]

Problem in Czech rep. - EU recommends something, our politicians accepts it in much more strict manner and than everyone has to ignore it .

I can assure the laws are not ignored in UK, we often complain of being the only country that does comply with the laws! ;-) I saw a programme last week, where they were checking lorries coming into UK, and I think over 80% were illegal to drive on UK roads. Some are absolutely lethal, death traps. But they get away with it in the rest of Europe.
We have Spanish based fishing boats near us, and they are always in court for undersize fish, fiddling quotas etc. They do it in Spain and get away with it, then think they can do it here. It's a lucrative source of money for local interpreters, interpreting for Spanish trawler captains when they are in court.:)
We also have the same as you with passports, but I don't think they have to be every year with children, although it wouldn't surprise me if they did!
Certainly they cannot smile or anything, has to be dead serious.
A lot of the european directives are expensive to implement, especially for the likes of countries like UK, Germany and France, which are the only countries that put more into the collective pot than they take out! ;)

[greytop]

....
We also have the same as you with passports, but I don't think they have to be every year with children, although it wouldn't surprise me if they did!
Certainly they cannot smile or anything, has to be dead serious.
....
I saw a program on the TV the other week where they were talking about the new rules for passport photos. Apparently it is to do with the need to scan them in to the new cyber friendly version - so beware, especially if you are applying at the last minute or no holiday http://smileys.sur-la-toile.com/repository/Triste/0095.gif.

[vienmay]

Spain is like this!
As a woman, I've been asked about my marital or not marital status (even if yoú´re a single they ask you if you have a boyfriend), thay ask about if you want to have kids... I know it can sound terrible for an US or UK citizen but, believe, here is absolutely normal... The terrible thing is that no one would ask about that if you are a man...
An another disgusting thing is that I've tried not to answer... and they didn´t continue with the interview.... so once I went to a interview for a job I knew I didn´t want (they paid rubbish!!) so I told the interviewer I was lesbian.. so no husband or no kids to take care off!! He jaust stared at me with such a strange expression on his face that I just laugh and laugh!! He didn´t expect an answer like that... I´m sure he will be cautious on asking about that next time!!

[eldeano]

It's quite refreshing in a naughty sort of way. I remember having to be vetted by the local police chief at Barajas to give the OK as to whether I could work with his officers for a few months. We spent over an hour in a bar chatting about football and then he deemed me to be suitable.:cool: