Managers are not supposed to factor childbearing plans into account in hiring or management decisions.
在招聘员工或做管理决策时,经理们不应该把生育问题考虑进去,
Raising this topic in the workplace would give most employment lawyers a heart attack.
在工作场合提及这个话题会把劳动法律师也吓一大跳。
But after watching so many talented women pass on opportunities for unspoken reasons, I started addressing this issue directly.
但我看到太多富有才干的女性因为这些原因而放弃机会,于是我便开始直接提出这个问题。
I always give people the option of not answering, but so far, every woman I have asked has appeared grateful for a chance to discuss the subject.
当然,被问的人完全可以不回答,但到目前为止,每个被我问到这个问题的女性似乎都因为有机会讨论这个话题而心怀感激。
I also make it clear that I am only asking for one reason: to make sure they aren't limiting their options unnecessarily.
我也明确地指出,这么问只有一个原因:确定她们是否有必要限制自己的选择。
In 2009, we were recruiting Priti Choksi to join Facebook's business development team.
普里蒂·乔克西于2009年加入了脸谱网的业务拓展团队。
After we extended an offer, she came in to ask some follow-up questions about the role.
在发出工作邀请后,她就如何跟进工作向我提了一些问题。
She did not mention lifestyle or hours, but she was the typical age when women have children.
虽然她没有提到生活方式或工作时间,但她正好处于典型的女性生育年龄。
So as we were wrapping up, I went for it.
所以在谈话结束时,我大胆地说:
"If you think you might not take this job because you want to have a child soon, I am happy to talk about this."
“如果你因为备孕不能接受这份工作的话,那么我很乐意和你聊聊。”
I figured if she didn't want to discuss it, she would just keep heading for the door.
我想,若是她想回避这个问题,就会直接离开了。
Instead, she turned around, sat back down, and said, "Let's talk."
事实正好相反,她说:“好,我们聊聊吧。”
I explained that although it was counterintuitive, right before having a child can actually be a great time to take a new job.
我解释说,尽管有违直觉,但在要孩子之前,这的确是个接受新工作的好时机。
If she found her new role challenging and rewarding, she'd be more excited to return to it after giving birth.
如果她发现新的工作很有挑战性,那么在生完孩子后她会带着更振奋的心情重新投入工作。
If she stayed put, she might decide that her job was not worth the sacrifice.
如果待在原地不动,她也许会认为这份工作不值得做什么牺牲。