Are pharmaceutical sales jobs open to mothers?

Myths and stereotypes surrounding maternity leave could be damaging the prospects of women in pharmaceutical sales jobs and other roles, a new report warns.

Nicola Brewer, head of the commission for equality and human rights, has spoken out against outdated prejudices that she claims prevent working mothers from advancing as far up the career ladder as their male peers.

She asked: "Has policy on maternity leave made too many assumptions about the choices families will make and as a result entrenched the stereotype that it is women who do the caring and men who do the earning?"

Fathers should be given equal rights to flexible working and leave, in order to dispel employers' conceptions that taking on or promoting a woman in pharmaceutical sales and other roles is a risky option, Ms Brewer claims.

Brendan Barber, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, echoed these views, calling for maternity leave to be transferable to fathers.

The comments follow Richard Tyler's recent assertion in the Telegraph that taking into account the likelihood of a woman having to take time off work is "perfectly rational" during the recruitment process.

As a specialist pharmaceutical sales recruitment agency, Aaron Wallis recruit for many of the UK’s leading pharma companies. For pharmaceutical sales employers Aaron Wallis offer a comprehensive sales recruitment service that includes skills testing, psychometric profiling and a 52 week rebate scheme.

Filed: 14-07-2008