Concerns over gender discrimination in most workplaces

Four out of five women believe it is more difficult to be promoted at work because of their gender, according to a study.

Most women complained they were overlooked for promotion even though they were confident they could perform just as well in a more senior post as men.

A survey of almost 2,000 workers by employment law firm Peninsula also showed that two thirds of men believed they would get away with being less productive in the workplace with a female boss.

Peter Done, managing director of Peninsula, said: “Discriminating against women should be a thing of the past and should not be accepted under any circumstances.

“Managerial jobs should be given to applicants based on merit, not on their gender. Any employer who discriminates because they believe men could do a better job could well be breaking the law.

“At the end of the day a manager should be selected based on professional merit, where the best candidate is chosen due to what they can bring to the role.

“A team needs a leader who will take them forward and if a female candidate believes they can do this there is nothing stopping them grabbing the top jobs.”

Women who walk into an interview with a tight-fitting white top, black bra underneath, showing their cleavage and wearing too much jewellery are probably dressed to kill their chances of getting a job, according to research today.

Fashion faux pas for male jobseekers include a badly-ironed shirt with buttons undone, high-waisted trousers, and a comedy tie, a study among employers found.

A survey of 2,000 bosses revealed that many made a judgment on a job candidate as soon as they walked into a room because of the clothes they were wearing – or almost wearing.

One in three employers questioned by retailer TK Maxx said they made their minds up on whether to hire someone within the first 90 seconds of an interview, showing the importance of how candidates were dressed.

The research showed the importance of dressing for success and confirmed that employers still preferred candidates to wear a suit because they believed it showed they were efficient and well organised.

The top five “oh no” items for men were

• a badly-ironed shirt;

• high-waisted trousers;

• top three shirt buttons undone;

• excess jewellery;

• a loud or comedy tie.

Leading fashion failures for women were

• tight-fitting tops or shirts;

• cleavage on display;

• black or coloured bra under a white shirt;

• too much jewellery;

• mini-skirt.

TK Maxx spokesman Helen Gunter said: “The jobs market is competitively fierce on all levels, but one thing that can give candidates a boost of confidence before they even walk through the door is knowing they are wearing the right outfit.”

Most employers said they would not hire someone if they did not approve of their interview outfit.