RECRUITMENT managers are holding back women’s careers, a new study into gender equality has revealed.

A small but powerful group nicknamed the “barrier bosses” were found to be twice as likely to be against equal opportunities than the general public.

The figures come from a report published today by women’s rights group the Fawcett Society, which interviewed over 1,400 British recruitment bosses.

One in seven believed they would lose out if there was gender equality in the workplace, and only a quarter of those quizzed believed it to be better for the economy.

The Fawcett Society’s chief executive Sam Smethers said: “A significant minority of managers — the ‘barrier bosses’ — are holding us back.

“They are the ones with the power over recruitment and their decisions are likely to be informed by their attitudes to equality.

“There are many progressive employers who are working hard to drive change, but if they are wondering what is holding up progress in their organisation this may explain why.

“Whether it is conscious or unconscious bias, this is discrimination in action.”

Ms Smethers added that despite these being the very same people who are responsible for implementing gender parity policies in the office, 16 per cent of them are opposed to the idea altogether.

In comparison, a separate survey of 8,000 average adults found that a lower 13 per cent were against gender equality.

The Fawcett Society’s research also found that men were more likely to support equality of opportunity for women than women themselves.