There was a time when hiring a mother was a positive thing for employers. Mothers were seen as reliable, hardworking and trustworthy; after all they had a child to support.

A recent survey by business services firm Regus has uncovered more and more firms are refusing to give jobs to mothers – even if this means they are breaking the law.

The survey revealed 38% of bosses are concerned that mothers are more likely to be less flexible and not as hard as others whilst 31% fear that they will fall pregnant again, leaving them short staffed and with a maternity leave bill.

The survey of 10,000 employers showed that 26% intended to hire working mothers during 2011 a big reduction on the 38% of last year.

London, Jan 20 (IANS) David Beckham reportedly cried when wife Victoria told him she was pregnant with their fourth child.The soccer star was stunned when the former Spice Girl and now fashion designer planned a romantic meal at home to break the news that they would be having a sibling for Brooklyn, 11, Romeo, eight, and five-year-old Cruz, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Big Changes for Meg
Hollywood actress Meg Ryan, 44, is making some pretty big changes in her life this year. She's making a career comeback with the May release of In the Land of Women with Adam Brody on the big screen. She's also working on the immigration drama Tortilla Mountain in Malibu, California.