Mothers are less likely to be hired for jobs, to be perceived as competent at work or to be paid as much as their male colleagues with the same qualifications.I question whether you can draw the conclusion shown from controlling the variables listed. It is also reported that income level affects the size of the impact:
For men, meanwhile, having a child is good for their careers. They are more likely to be hired than childless men, and tend to be paid more after they have children.
These differences persist even after controlling for factors like the hours people work, the types of jobs they choose and the salaries of their spouses. So the disparity is not because mothers actually become less productive employees and fathers work harder when they become parents — but because employers expect them to.
Low-income women lost 6 percent in wages per child, two percentage points more than the average.Low-income women are much more likely to be single mothers. Often they have no spouse to assist in childcare, which becomes more complicated and harder to manage with each additional child.
Unshared childcare can interfere with job performance. I wish they had studied the work history of single men with sole or primary custody of children; it wouldn't surprise me if they make less and are less employable too.
I suppose the differences found are unlawful, at least in some jurisdictions. They are, however, understandable and even sensible to many managers, of both genders. You can view the research report upon which the Times article is based at Third Way.
