are you pregnant, do you want children, do you have children But they don't appear to have asked those questions :) (see my other comment) Personally I do thi

are you pregnant, do you want children, do you have children But they don't appear to have asked those questions :) (see my other comment) Personally I do think it is reasonable, though, to ask whether a women plans to have children in the immediate future (say, the next 18 months). It's unavoidable that pregnancy does result in requiring time off (I've heard it argued that a women planning to have children soon and applying for a job is possibly defrauding her employer.... I don't agree with that but it is an interesting way to consider it). They're not going to be missing a few days in the office during a pregnancy - that is long term time off (usually). That's a scientific and genetic fact; asking the question is, surely, fine (and it can be refused to be answered etc.). Discriminating because of it is wrong; but the employer may wish to know so they are aware they will have to find a temporary replacement in the near future :) I also am not sure why, if your faced with 2 candidates of equal ability you cant choose the one (male or female) who is NOT actively planning to bear children in the next year or so without being marked discriminatory etc.