67% of Brits believe the glass ceiling exists in their workplace according to Monsters latest survey

Monsterís latest survey today announced that women are still finding it as difficult as ever to break through the glass ceiling, an unspoken discriminatory barrier blocking their progress. In April 2006, according to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), women earn on average 17% per hour less than men for full-time work. Moreover, only 11 FTSE 100 companies had female executive directors in 2005, a figure that is actually lower than the three previous years. In UK Parliament, womenís representation has increased to 126 women MPs today, which is 19.5% of MPs. However, there is no doubt that the glass ceiling still exists in the UK and Monsterís poll shows that both men and women agree.

The Monster Meter asked, ìDo you feel that a glass ceiling exists in your workplace?î 1,265 Brits placed a vote, revealing:

34% (426 votes) I am a woman: Yes
33% (412 votes) I am a man: Yes
20% (255 votes) I am a man: No
13% (172 votes) I am a woman: No

Monsterís poll results surprisingly show that almost the same number of men (33%) as woman (34%) agree that the glass ceiling exists in their workplace. Survey results by the Financial Times seem to accurately reflect the current situation in Europe. The survey which scrutinised 450 top European companies conceded that women are making ìslow inroadsî in Britain and Scandinavia, but painted a dismal overall picture. Only two of the 75 British organisations surveyed were headed by women, and the top 30 companies in the German stock exchange combined have just one female board member.

ìFor many, itís felt that the age-old debate as to whether the glass ceiling is still an obstacle for women in the workplace is done and dusted,î commented Alan Townsend, COO Monster UK and Ireland. ìWhat our latest research reveals is that people believe sexual equality is moving in the right direction, but full equality is not yet a reality. ìWhat we can deduce from these figures is that an overwhelming majority of public opinion agree that women continue to face challenges when it comes to career advancement and are often expected to go that extra mile for pay rises, promotions and positions of authority.î

According to the EOCís ëFacts About Women & Men in Great Britain 2006í report, 66% of managers and senior officials are men, while women hold 81% of administrative and secretarial jobs. 83% of directors and chief executives of major organisations are men, while 95% of receptionists are women. In the finance sector women are just over half the workforce, and yet the average hourly pay for a woman working full-time in finance is 41% lower than for a man.

These figures show that there is still a long way to go and perceptions need changing. This is probably why in April 2007 the biggest change to sex equality legislation since the Sex Discrimination Act is expected to come into force. The Gender Equality Duty places an obligation on all public bodies to promote gender equality and eliminate discrimination. The Gender Equality Duty should generate employment practices that challenge occupational segregation and remove the barriers to women reaching their potential.