Female managers twice as likely to face gender barriers as male counterparts, UK study finds

Female employees – particularly those in management – are twice as likely as their male counterparts to perceive gender as an obstacle to career success, according to new research.

A survey of over 2,600 UK workers by HR software provider Ciphr revealed that one in seven (14 per cent) female managers believe their gender has made career progression more challenging. In stark contrast, only one in 14 (seven per cent) male managers reported the same experience.

The findings underscore the persistence of gender bias and barriers – both real and perceived – across various industries in the UK.

Gender bias more prevalent in leadership

According to Ciphr’s research, female leaders and senior managers are the most affected by gender bias. Nearly a third (32 per cent) of female respondents in leadership or senior management roles reported experiencing discrimination or unfavourable treatment during recruitment due to their gender. Additionally, one in six (16 per cent) believe their gender has made career success more difficult to achieve.

Gender discrimination is not limited to senior positions. Nearly one in four (23 per cent) female managers at all levels have encountered gender discrimination in their careers, compared to one in seven (14 per cent) male managers. Even among non-management employees, 11 per cent of women reported experiencing gender-based discrimination in the workplace or during job searches, compared to 6.2 per cent of men.

Women more likely to face workplace barriers

Regardless of seniority, women are more likely than men to encounter workplace gender barriers, such as discrimination in hiring, bias in promotions, and pay disparities. The UK’s gender pay gap currently stands at 13.1 per cent in favour of men. The data also reveals that while only 3.2 per cent of male employees in non-management roles and seven per cent of male managers feel their gender has hindered their careers, these figures double to 7.7 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively, for women in the same roles.

Self-employment does not eliminate these challenges. If anything, it may exacerbate them. Nearly one in five (18 per cent) self-employed women feel that their gender has made professional success more difficult, compared to just 0.9 per cent of self-employed men.

Industries with the highest gender disparities

Women working in traditionally male-dominated industries – particularly at senior levels – are among the most likely to report gender inequalities and discrimination.

For instance, female managers in the legal profession are four times more likely than their male counterparts to say they have encountered gender-related obstacles in their careers (42 per cent vs 10 per cent). A similar trend is observed in the energy and utilities sector, where a third (33 per cent) of female managers feel their gender has hindered career success, compared to 11 per cent of male managers.

Other industries with notable gender disparities include:

• Transport and logistics: 21 per cent of female managers vs 3.1 per cent of male managers
• Property and construction: 20 per cent vs five per cent
• Retail: 17 per cent vs 2.4 per cent
• Engineering and manufacturing: 16 per cent vs 1.4 per cent
• Business, consulting and management: 20 per cent vs 10 per cent
• Accountancy, banking, and finance (including insurance and pensions): 14 per cent vs 4.9 per cent
• Public services and administration: 12 per cent vs 4.3 per cent
• Hospitality and events management: 19 per cent vs 11 per cent
• Information technology: 16 per cent vs 11 per cent
• Healthcare: 9.2 per cent vs 5.4 per cent
• Creative arts and design: 30 per cent vs 27 per cent
• Teaching and education: 6.2 per cent vs 5.6 per cent
• Sales: 5.6 per cent vs 5 per cent
• Charity and voluntary work: 5.3 per cent vs 11 per cent