70% of women think asking for a pay rise puts their job at risk

Millions of women fear asking for a pay rise will jeopardise their career, according to new research.

Seven in 10 females said they wouldn’t even consider asking for a pay rise – with half concerned it might put their job at risk. And just one in five has asked her boss for a salary increase in the past three years – compared to more than a third of men.

The survey of 2000 UK employees commissioned by the recruitment agency Randstad also found a quarter of women believe a glass ceiling still exists in the world of work. Indeed, the inequality of wages has become so ingrained in work culture that almost a quarter of men think women have less chance of a pay rise because it is “accepted” men earn more. Similarly, nearly half of women think men have a greater chance of securing a salary increase – while just over a fifth of males agree.

Mark Bull, Randstad UK’s CEO said: “The results highlight the challenges women continue to face in the workplace. It may be the 21st century, but to many female employees it still feels like we’re in the 20th.”

The poll found that on average, female employees have had two increases to their pay in the past five years, while men have had three.

Both sexes think the attitudes of employers is the main thing holding women back in the workplace – followed by lack of confidence and a lack of belief in their skills – while more than half of females believe more could be done to encourage and support them in going for ‘top jobs’.

Four in 10 working Brits think there will be a time when women and men get equal pay – although one in 10 said they don’t believe there is an inequality in wages.

Mark Bull added: “The UK workplace has changed beyond recognition in recent decades but a lot more still needs to be done by many employers large and small. We’re getting there, but things aren’t moving as quickly as many would have hoped.”