'Bosses do think men are better'

She says: "Male employers definitely think men are better because they are still suspicious of women in the workplace. They haven't moved on and that really annoys me. They think men will be a bit more competitive, which they want - but they are a bit suspicious of competitive women.

They are a bit threatened by them."

Lucas Roberts, 25, a carpenter from Maida Vale

He says: "Women are certainly as capable as men and, as far as I am concerned, it's a level playing field. In my industry, women tend to choose not to get involved on a hands-on level but they are architects and designers.

It doesn't surprise me that you still get chauvinistic guys thinking they are better than women. It's unfair."

Sacha Cohen, 34, interior decorator from Fulham

She says: "As an employer I've found women work harder than men. But nature is nature and women are going to go off and have children whereas men are always going to be in the workplace.

Really, it depends on the individual. If someone seems committed and enthusiastic and is good enough to do the job, they'll get it."