Why are women in the labour force sometimes viewed as unreliable by employers?

• A. They are less skilled
• B. They may become pregnant and require more time off
• C. They are less committed to the job
• D. They demand higher salaries

Answer: (B)

The idea behind this question centers on how gender stereotypes shape perceptions of reliability in the workplace. The reason employers might view women as unreliable is the expectation that they could become pregnant and therefore need time off for maternity leave, medical appointments, birth recovery, and early childcare. This creates a belief that their attendance will be interrupted more often, making them less dependable in the eyes of some managers. It's a bias rooted in traditional roles around motherhood, not in actual ability or commitment.

Other options rely on unfounded or unrelated assumptions. Being less skilled isn’t a gender-based fact, and many women are highly skilled. The notion of being less committed mirrors bias but is less specific to the pregnancy issue. Demanding higher salaries speaks to pay expectations and discrimination, not reliability in attendance.