Women envisage glass ceiling intact in 2020

A new report claims that the glass ceiling preventing women from climbing to the upper rungs of the corporate ladder will still be firmly in place at the end of this decade.

The report, published by Friends Life, reveals that the majority of working women see no end to the obstacles hindering their advancement in the workplace. Some 55% of women believe there will still be a significant pay gap between men and women in 2020, while 53% think women will still be struggling much more than men to secure senior roles.

In contrast, men expect more equality between the sexes by 2020. Less than a third (31%) of men think there will still be a significant pay gap, and only 30% believe women will be at a disadvantage when applying for the top jobs.

Motherhood, and childcare pressures in particular, remain the biggest barriers for women, according to the report. While some organisations, particularly in the public sector, have made big strides in offering flexible working, there is still a long way to go. The report found that a shorter working week, subsidised childcare and the ability to work from home are all offered far less than many working mothers would like.