81 per cent of manufacturing professionals think gender discrimination still exists in the work place

Over 8 in 10 (81 per cent) of workers in full time manufacturing roles believe gender discrimination is still present in the work place, according to a new poll commissioned by people management experts Investors in People*. As Investors in People (IIP) calls for greater diversity in the workplace, the study has revealed that 23 per cent of employees in the sector think they may have experienced discrimination in the work place due to their gender, four per cent below the UK average.

15 percent believe it has negatively impacted their pay – 11 per cent lower than the UK average - and six per cent have been put off having a child due to the perceived career limitations it would have, compared to the eight per cent UK average. However 61 per cent of employees in the sector think the situation is improving.

Valerie Todd CBE, Director of Talent at Crossrail and Chair of IIP, comments, "The fact that so many believe gender discrimination is still so prevalent in today's business world is very concerning. It is up to leaders to help change both perception and the reality of discrimination; an inclusive culture is fundamental to success for any organisation. For a business to outperform others it must reflect the community and market it operates in or risk being out of touch."

According to The Fawcett Society, a leading UK charity that campaigns for women's rights, the female make up of FTSE boards stands at only 17.3 per cent.

Paul Devoy, Head of Investors in People, says: "The level of perceived gender discrimination our report has uncovered across all sectors is worryingly high. We need to make sure we don't accept the status quo and 2015 is the year to make it happen. While 81 per cent of manufacturing workers believe discrimination by gender is still prevalent, only 31 per cent said that more needs to be done to remove it. Our work is key in improving diversity in the workplace, something we achieve by encouraging empowerment, diversity and leadership through our updated management Standard launching this year."

*Survey carried out by OnePoll, reflecting the perceptions of 2000 employed adults in the UK between 20th and 23rd February 2015