Women won't tackle the boss

Women are losing out in the workplace because they lack the confidence to tackle their bosses about promotions and pay rises, a new survey reveals.

Six out of ten women say they are particularly afraid they will become visibly upset if they try to improve their lot.

The report reveals a workforce - both male and female - willing to put up with career stagnation and lower pay because they do not want to discuss these matters with bosses they believe will not act on their complaints.

Half those questioned said they most dreaded broaching the subjects of money and career advancement, and 11 per cent would prefer simply to move on to another job rather than have to ask a difficult question. More than a third suspect discussions they did have with their boss would not be followed up.

One in three believed asking for more money or making a complaint would affect their career prospects.

In general, women are significantly less confident in raising awkward topics than men, with almost 60 per cent of female workers worrying they will get upset, compared with just 21 per cent of men.

Female workers are also less confident in their abilities to handle difficult conversations - 40 per cent of women compared to 30 per cent of men - and most of those worry they will not get what they want anyway.

This anxiety may explain why women continue to earn less than men. The average gross weekly salary of a woman in a non manual job in London is £523.50. A man would get £806.70.

The only workplace issues men find harder to raise are those which involve admitting they need help - for example discussing training needs.

Michael Richards of software firm Snowdrop Systems, which questioned 1,000 British workers for the research, said: "One in ten UK employees would rather leave their present job than broach a difficult subject with their employer. This seems an unnecessary and preventable contributor to high staff turnover that could cost UK business dearly."