Less than a quarter of HR directors believe that men have an advantage over women in the workplace, according to research by financial recruitment consultant Robert Half.

Only 41% of HR directors surveyed said they had a specific plan in place or slated for future launch designed to assist women in the workplace.

Nearly half (47%) of HR directors felt performance targets are key to closing the gender gap.

Robert Half’s director, Karen Dobson, says: “While HR directors believe men do not have an advantage over women in the workplace, there is still not equality on the boards of FTSE 100 companies or in gender pay.

“Companies can help break the glass ceiling by carefully managing the talents of strong female candidates early in their careers and implementing diversity programmes specifically tailored to women.”