Madam, - Ailish Connelly (Opinion & Analysis, November 7th) is quite right: there is a bias against working mothers in many employments. It won't be wiped out until working mothers get correct information and act on it.
Consider Ms Connelly's friend, the one who was doing splendidly, putting in 16- to 18-hour days for her employer, but was suddenly "sidelined" when she got pregnant.
"There was nothing overtly illegal about the company's treatment of her," Ms Connolly writes, adding that her job description was changed; that she was isolated, given work below her status and subjected to "macho-lad, gender-biased, smart-alecky behaviour".
All are about as overtly illegal as it gets. (Working days of 16 to 18 hours are also illegal, but let's pass on that for now.) Other women complained that their maternal status led to demotion, missed promotional opportunities and stalled salary increases. If so, all in breach of legislation.
The trouble with nasty employers is that they don't listen to appeals about humane and understanding treatment. The only way to wean them from their bad practices is to put the frighteners on them with the law.
It's surprising, though, how effective routine law enforcement can be in changing social norms. It must be almost 30 years since I heard anyone object to equal pay for women, once the most bitterly divisive topic of all.
The next time Ms Connolly meets a mother suffering in the workplace, I hope she tells her that the helpful staff at the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment are experts at explaining employment rights.
Better yet, I hope she advises joining a union. That's why they are there, sisters. - Yours, etc,
MARY MAHER, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.