Chilean firm prefers to hire pregnant, single women

A Chilean advertising agency has been praised for its policy of hiring pregnant women who are also single.

The UN says Topp and Brand is the only company in Chile that is fighting prejudice in the workplace.

Elisabeth Brand, owner of the Temuco-based firm, says she prefers to hire pregnant women, especially if they are single.

She told Las Ultimas Noticias online: "I hire them and many people think that is absurd, but the cost of hiring them is not so high, it doesn't hurt our finances."

Mrs Brand currently has four pregnant women working at her offices.

She said: "First of all single mothers need help. Second they have all showed a lot of enthusiasm and are working extra hard.

"Companies need to be concerned about human beings. If they are, what they get back is much more than only money. They receive love and respect and loyalty - and those things are priceless."