Women in Business: The Gender Gap

The report, commissioned by the Government, found women in the city earned five times less in bonuses than men.

It seemed there was a still long way to go before gender equality would be reached.

But Clare Murray, founder and managing partner of One Canada Square-based law firm CM Murray, has a much more optimistic view.

Her firm deals in employment and partnership law, regularly representing workers who feel they have been hard done by and firms which are defending themselves against sex discrimination claims.

She said: "It's very positive that the generation in their 20s, 30s and even 40s have such a different outlook to that of the past.

"We've come a huge distance since the '60s. In another two generations we won't even be having this discussion.

"Two generations ago, would I have had my own law firm? Would I even be a lawyer? I doubt it, but I do and I am and that's an incredible seachange."

As for the current pay gap, Clare urged that this be tackled through enforced openness for firms on salaries.

She said: "It's the responsibility of employers to have programmes, training and monitoring to make sure the sexes are treated equally.

"Then there's supporting that with a push from the Government to have transparency in pay and audits for employers.

"They should be forced to be transparent so that men and women are paid equally."

Living with her husband Klayton, Clare - who is eight months' pregnant - is soon to take three months off when she has her first baby.

Klayton, who has recently returned to studies, then takes over for three months during the summer break.

As a businesswoman and a manager of staff, the family issue is an important one for Clare.

She said staff having children should not be seen as a hindrance to business in the long-term.

She said: "Some employers recognise they could have one or more members of staff away for up to a year but that's a short-term view.

"Out of 12 members of staff we have six who work flexible part-time hours for a variety of reasons but they are incredibly committed. If you take a short-term view of staff they may take a short-term view of you.

"In my experience those working part-time hours are incredibly hard working."

Clare said that while there was clearly still a gender gap in terms of pay and attitudes in some businesses, positive discrimination is not the correct tool to use in tackling it.

She said equality of opportunity is the best way to create a fair work environment.

She said: "I'm a supporter of merit-based discrimination. It can cause resentment if you're seen to take proactive steps to help one group.

"If you provide everyone with the same opportunities, it is the most talented people, whatever their gender, that deserve the opportunities."