Women tell of sex bias

DISCRIMINATION: 32% had problems at work, but few take action over harassment

Almost a third of female solicitors have experienced sexual discrimination at work, and one in five have experienced harassment, according to recent research.The survey of 631 members of the Association of Women Solicitors (AWS) from across the profession found that 32% said they had experienced sexual discrimination at work, compared to 2% and 4% respectively who claimed to have been discriminated against on grounds of race or disability.Almost a fifth of respondents (19%) said they had experienced some form of harassment at work, but only 6% of those took legal action.

The findings have given greater impetus to the AWS's aim to set up a 'harassment helpline', with 61% of respondents saying they would find it helpful.AWS chairwoman Anthea Grainger said: 'Each case is very different from the next, and sexual discrimination can take many forms - being paid less than your male colleagues, being further away from partnership than less experienced male colleagues, and even being given less interesting work.'The majority of solicitors questioned had children (63%), but more than half of those (57%) thought that having a family had adversely affected their careers.

Almost a third (31%) were the main breadwinners in their families.Ms Grainger stressed that the AWS has an important role to play in bringing this ongoing discrimination to light: 'Many people aren't aware that this still happens to such an extent, but this survey demonstrates that it is a real and ongoing problem.'Victoria MacCallum