The year is 2020. Kristine Minde plays for the German big club Wolfsburg, but wants to come home to Norway after several years abroad. In the winter and spring, she goes through several interviews with Norwegian clubs in search of a new team. During the conversation processes, there is one thing in particular that makes her react: The experience of questions about the family’s future. – I was in video calls and phone calls with several top league clubs, and received questions from almost all the clubs about… They try to wrap it up a bit nicely, almost so that you forget that we are in a job interview. Then they ask what the plan is now, if my plan is to come home and start a family, Minde tells news. NARRATOR: Minde says she has spoken to several players who have experienced the same thing. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB – Not taken seriously The former national team player was surprised that this became a topic, and was unsure what to answer. The Equality and Discrimination Act states that it is forbidden to ask about pregnancy, parental leave, adoption or plans to have children in connection with a job interview. – I replied that I do want to start a family sometime in the future, but that that was not where I was focusing now. I know when I go into that meeting that they are not allowed to ask that question, says Minde and adds: – You feel that you are not taken seriously or that they care that this is my job. IN ACTION: Minde plays on a daily basis for Rosenborg. Photo: Carina Johansen / NTB Refuting Minde’s claim The player eventually ended up signing for Rosenborg in the summer of 2020, and believes the club was not one of those who asked about the family plans. It was three other clubs that did, as Minde experienced it. Either directly or indirectly. She believes one of the club asked the question about children straight up. – (…) asked me straight out if I was thinking of having children. Didn’t even wrap it. Minde does not want the clubs to be named. news has made contact with the relevant person in the club who she believes asked directly about her plans for children. The person experienced the meeting very differently from her, but confirms that the meeting took place. – I have never asked that. I never interfere in family matters, neither in business nor in volunteering. I find the claim false and completely unreasonable, the club representative tells news. There is no written documentation that neither this club nor anyone else she was in meetings with in 2020 asked her about family plans. But Minde is crystal clear that her family situation became a topic. She has also written down minutes from the video meetings she had with the various clubs. In one of the meeting minutes it is written: “But want to know how motivated I am? Do I come home to play for a year, then retire, start a family and build a house?” Photo: Private – Should have contacted NISO Minde chose not to confront the club representatives then, for fear of weakening her own job opportunities, but she has thought a lot about it afterwards and, among other things, discussed it with her husband. – I haven’t taken it up with NISO (the players’ association) and it’s a bit silly that I haven’t, says Minde. The Rosenborg player, who became a mother in 2021, says she has heard of several players who have experienced the same. READY TO SPEECH: Confederation leader in Niso Erlend Hanstveit. Photo: Henrik Myhr Nielsen – The fact that you ask in connection with contract extension, this I have not heard of. We expect that not to happen. That you break Norwegian law, says NISO leader Erlend Hanstveit to news. He goes on to say that NISO works actively to shed light on the topic and that they will talk to a greater extent with other unions about the issue. – We are looking with light and lantern for why we are losing so many women in top football in their prime. – Very rude news has been in contact with another top league player who says that she too has experienced being asked about family plans. She wishes to remain anonymous and will also not name the club in question as she still plays there. This is not one of the three clubs Minde believes raised the topic with her. – That was the first thing you were asked about: Your own age and family situation. It wasn’t that cool, says the top league player. The question is said to have come up when she negotiated an extension with the club last year. – I thought that “there” had nothing to do with it, my situation and whether I had plans to start a family eventually. I think it was very rude. The player says that she has not taken the incident further, but has thought about it. On a general basis, Hanstveit thinks this is a sin. He is supported by the general manager of Topfotball women, Hege Jørgensen, who nevertheless points out: – It is incredibly good that it is raised, because it creates an increased awareness of how to handle such situations. Hello! Do you have thoughts about the case you have read, or input on other things we at news Sport should investigate? Then feel free to contact me by e-mail!
ttn-69
– Feel that you are not taken seriously – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
