Are women still being discriminated against at work?

Efforts to establish gender diversity in the workplace may be on the rise, but looks like it's going to be a while before women are free from any discrimination in the office.

Polling 1,000 working women in the United Kingdom, research by Badenoch & Clark found gender bias has ceased to be the greatest challenge facing women with the potential to progress.

An encouraging 84% of the female professionals surveyed in the report said they had never been overlooked for promotion as a result of their gender.

In addition, over two thirds (67%) of respondents also believed the professional playing field to be a level one between men and women where availability of opportunities is concerned.

However, a third of working women still stated they feel disadvantaged when working.

ALSO READ: Why gender bias in the workplace continues to exist

Over half (57%) stated there is an unconscious bias in the workplace, with senior level positions still dominated by men — potentially preventing female progression to the boardroom.

In addition, 14% expressed an aversion to progressing to a more powerful position.

"Organisations too often recruit in their own image, meaning that unconscious bias can be a problem across the board—which is why it’s so important to introduce the right recruitment and development strategies," the report stated.

When asked about the biggest issues holding women back from progressing in the office, 32% stated negative perceptions from senior male staff was a key concern.

Almost three out of 10 (26%) also stated a lack of female role models in the workplace was contributing to the issue.

"Owing to the perception that women require greater flexibility than men for a healthy work/life balance due to personal commitments (54%), it's clear that organisations need to do more to break down the barriers to equality between the genders," the report stated.

 Image: Shutterstock