where is the line when it comes to discrimination? is this discrimination?

Question

Two 22 year old graduates apply for a job. one male one female with the same credentials. the male is hired because it is less expensive to employ a male than a female. (statisticaly)
The females is more likely to use up maternaty leave, family responsibility leave. If she falls pregnant which will most likely happen you will have to incurr additional costs to keep her job open and to hire somone else for the time being. Worst yet half the time it is likely that she will not return in which case you just wasted a lot of money training and investing in her onlyu to hav e to look for someone else to fill her position and start all over.

This is an argument that my economics lecturer gave to us to think about. Do you agree or disagree with the decision. i am a women and i think that it makes sense financialy cos businesses are essentially profit maximisers but dont you think this is gender discrimination. Is it only discrimination if the intention is to oppress a group? Doesnt this?

Answer 1

Having a BA in Business Management, I agree with the statement.

If they both have the same work history, grades, everything being equal, I would have to hire the man.

Management's first priority is to protect what is best for the company.

Answer 2

Yes it's discrimination. There's no guarantee the woman will get pregnant & leave. She might not even be able to have kids. So why make the assumption.
The man might have a bunch of health problems and wind up on disability. Or he might get a better offer 6 months later & leave.
The man may also apply for paternity leave if his wife is pregnant & not come back. Or he might already have 8 kids and keep taking time off to take care of them.
Just because a man can't get pregnant, doesn't mean he's any less of a financial risk.

Answer 3

bunk!.....there are more of you in the workplace now than ever before. sell your kool-aid somewhere else. no takers here.