> Where does that happen? In Spain. Also, it is still an objectively worse proposition for companies to hire women who are expected to have children soon than

> Where does that happen? In Spain. Also, it is still an objectively worse proposition for companies to hire women who are expected to have children soon than to hire other people. For several reasons (in Spain's current situation): 1) Even if you don't pay the employee's salary while on maternity leave, you still have to find a replacement and train them. 2) Paternity leave is shorter than maternity leave. And it can be transferred, something many couples do (usually in the paternity -> maternity direction). This translates to longer absence periods, and "rustier" comebacks after that. 3) In our society, mothers still carry a larger fraction of the burden of having children. That is, even after maternity leave is over, schools call the mother first if their child is ill, or gets injured, or whatever. Women are more prone to ask for flexible or reduced hours, etc. These are all inconveniences for the employer (w.r.t. employees in other situations). I'm not saying I like it this way and I don't claim to have a workable solution, just describing reality...