Women believe sexism still rife in the workplace

Women believe sexism is still rife in the workplace and that they are disadvantaged when it comes to pay, promotion and age, a new British survey concludes. Almost two thirds of women (63%) believe that a woman's age is seemingly more important in the workplace than a man's, according to the study carried out for Marie Claire magazine and women-in-business network Everywoman. Almost half (46%) have experienced sexism and 44% said that a male colleague had made an inappropriate comment about their appearance. Nearly four fifths (78%) said that being attractive helps them to get on better and 60% think that overweight women are discriminated against. Three fifths (60%) think that men are better at getting pay rises and 58% believe men are better at getting a promotion. More than half (53%) do not believe positive discrimination is a good thing to ensure female representation on boards. When asked what would have the biggest impact on climbing the career ladder, it was being given the opportunity of a mentorship that the majority wanted and to work for a female boss (58%) not a man. Two thirds of women (66%) believe mentoring is an essential business practice, yet very few have experienced it in their workplace. More than two thirds (72%) have no such scheme in place and the same number (72%) have never been mentored. Two thirds of those who had been in a mentoring scheme said it had a positive effect on their business (60%). Trish Halpin, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire magazine, said: "The results of our survey with everywoman proves that there is a real need for mentoring in the workplace and demonstrates the important role it plays in helping women to fulfil their full potential, launch the businesses they'd always hoped for and achieve even greater success in their careers." Some 2,913 women, age range 18-55, took part in the survey across 12 UK regions.