Sexism in the workplace still rampant in Belgium

Women in Belgium are still not treated equally in the workplace as compared to their male colleagues, according to a study by recruitment specialist Hays. More than four in 10 Belgian women find their skills are undervalued on the work floor, the study shows. One in five Belgian women even feel discriminated against.

Hays' Diversity at Work survey looks at the position of women in the workplace, and reveals that more than four in 10 Belgian women find that women and men with the same abilities are not equally paid or rewarded. The results also show that one in five female respondents feel they do not have the same career opportunities as their male colleagues.

Women estimate their career opportunities are lower if they have a male manager. The study confirms this, with 21% of Belgian women with male executives reporting that they do not have the same career opportunities as their male colleagues, while only 14% of the women with a female manager feel that way.

On the upside, women generally see their career prospects in a more positive light than last year, when 30% of the female respondents said they do not share equal career opportunities with the men at their work.