Female workers believe the glass ceiling will still be affecting their career progression in the year 2020, a new Friends Life report has determined.

More than half (55 per cent) of those questioned said they believe there will be a significant pay gap between men and women in nine years’ time.

Firms may also be encouraged to seek employment law advice as results show that 53 per cent of women think they will continue to struggle to fill senior roles within their organisation.

Men, on the other hand, were more inclined not to envisage any differences between the sexes in any of these areas, as only 30 per cent believe women are at a disadvantage.

Kim Clarke, head of human resources at Friends Life, commented: “Flexible working alongside mentoring can help foster a culture of understanding among senior management of the pressures facing women and can ultimately help both women and business prosper.”