I recall with nostalgia, my younger years in active journalism in the 80s. This was before Facebook, Instagram and other social media stuff taken for granted by the Gen Z generation.
There were also no smartphones to facilitate instant communication between people.
Neither were there desktop computers, LinkedIn, Zoom, WhatsApp Apps or remote jobs.
Yet, you were required to source for news stories and features for weekly news magazines. I still wonder how we managed to show up every week with topnotch products time and time again. This was 1987.
I also recall that during the interview process for the job, I was already married with a child but in between jobs.
The Publisher meanwhile, took his sweet time in picking the workforce.
Management consultants were hired who took us through rigorous selection process for months on end. This was unheard of in the media industry at the time. People usually criss-crossed from one newspaper house to another without proper resignation!
I remember that I was specifically asked about my family, and if I planned to have more children in the next 3 years. I replied “No,” stating that I wanted to focus on my career for now. I didn’t know that, that decision was going to be critical for the job at hand.
Months went by without word from them and I decided to focus on adding to my family. Months after, we were suddenly called to resume work. The remunerations were so juicy, and the best in the media industry at the time.
I could not pass it up even though I was expecting.
I boldly resumed with others and invested in loose corporate clothing.
I conducted myself with decorum and seriousness. I participated at all staff meetings, and production schedules. Our editorial meetings sometimes ran far into the nights back then because of lack of technology that we take for granted today.
Everything was honky-dory for months, until I was summoned by
management for a crucial meeting.
I was informed that I had breached a crucial tenet of my employment by reporting for duty as an expectant woman. I was told that the job was too rigorous and demanding for someone like me. My personal file was brought forward, and I was reminded of the comments I made during the job interview.
I was therefore ordered to resign, and immediately vacate the premises.
It was supposed to be a closed and shut case, however, the Publisher, late Chris Maduabrochukwu Okolie, lawyer turned journalist wanted to hear my side of the story. The lawyer in him!
I spoke quietly but with emphasis in a room full of men. Most were middle aged with wives at home and grown up children. Their view was that I lied during the interview process and should be immediately dismissed.
I stood my ground that what I said was applicable during the period of the interview, but that I changed my mind because of the uncertainty in waiting for the job, age and marital status.
I thanked them for the opportunity of working in an Avant-garde organisation like theirs and took my leave.
I went downstairs to clear my desk only to be summoned by the team again. The Publisher, a father of girls had reversed the management decision to terminate my appointment. He showed me mercy and kept me at the job. He only inferred that I will not be entitled to any pay during my maternity leave. Fair enough, I mused.
I returned to my job after delivery and all went well at the job. That’s why I’m surprised, and angry with the pregnancy clause still in place for young women in the 21st century.
I found that female singers like Arya Starr are locked in restrictive contracts prohibiting relationships and pregnancy. Female actresses are prevented from some relationships on account of their branding. Bank marketers back then were asked to sign no-marriage contracts prior to employment.
What do you think of this gross discrimination against women by business owners?
Please join the conversation with your comments and feedback on this and other topics to mooborscounsellingroom@gmail.com
By Mubo Okosun
Women’s Editor
