Two thirds of female employees say they have been patronised by a male colleague, according to new research released ahead of International Women’s Day.
It suggests that everyday bias remains embedded in many workplaces, despite years of focus on equality policies and cultural reform.
A survey of 2,000 UK female employees, commissioned by Superdrug Online Doctor, found that 66 percent have experienced patronising behaviour from male colleagues, with 13 percent saying it happens frequently.
Seven in ten said they have been spoken over by a male colleague, while more than half reported being dismissed in the workplace. Nearly four in ten said they have felt the need to downplay their femininity in order to be taken seriously.
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Younger women report highest levels of bias
The data indicates that younger women are particularly affected. Among Gen Z employees, 83 percent said they have been talked over by a male co-worker, and more than two thirds reported feeling dismissed. One in four in this age group said such behaviour occurs frequently.
Despite these experiences, 22 percent of respondents said they do not feel safe or confident enough to report discrimination at work, raising concerns about trust in internal reporting mechanisms.
Beyond day-to-day behaviour, many women say bias has had a tangible impact on their careers. Eighteen percent said gender bias or stereotypes have already held them back from career growth.
The research also draws attention to pay disparities. According to the Office for National Statistics, the median hourly gender pay gap for full-time employees stood at 6.9 percent in April 2025. That gap means full-time female employees effectively work almost 18 working days a year unpaid compared to male counterparts.
Flexible working was ranked as the most important change to improve equality at work, with 36 percent of respondents saying it would help close the gap. Pay transparency followed at 32 percent, while 28 percent said increasing the number of women in senior leadership roles would make the biggest difference.
Impact on confidence and progression
Mikaela Jackson, founder of life coach service She Almighty, who worked with Superdrug Online Doctor on the study, said a lack of workplace support could undermine confidence and progression. “Workplace support for women is essential, particularly as they navigate significant life changes that are both emotionally and practically challenging,” she said.
“Without real understanding, compassion, safe spaces, flexible working, pay transparency, and mentorship or coaching, common challenges can manifest as low self-confidence, self-worth and self-efficacy.”
She said the long-term effects could extend beyond career advancement. “This can hold women back from going for promotions and leadership positions, hindering career progression, while also impacting workload management, boundaries, relationships and ultimately leading to burnout,” she said.
As International Women’s Day, on March 8, highlights progress towards gender equality, the findings suggest that everyday experiences of bias remain a barrier for many women in the workplace, with calls growing for cultural and structural change to match policy commitments.
