Four in Ten American Women Face Workplace Discrimination

Four in ten career women battled workplace discrimination to get where they are today, according to a new survey. The study into the career hurdles, ambitions, and setbacks of 2,000 employed women between the ages of 24 and 45 found as many as 43 percent experienced discrimination at some point in their career when trying to climb the career ladder or establish themselves in a new working environment.

More than a third (36 percent) of women felt male colleagues were able to bond more easily with those in management or higher positions. Feeling left out of workplace socializing or network opportunities because of their gender is, unfortunately, familiar to many women. However, only 30 percent of those experiencing discrimination have ever reported it to HR.

About one in five felt they'd been restricted in their career growth or opportunities and also felt that their current workplace is a 'boys' club' culture. The research, commissioned by Shapr -- the free networking app that helps users meet like-minded professionals -- also found 59 percent of today's working women say they would be more successful if they had more opportunities to engage in networking.

Results showed your professional network makes a big impact on your ability to get in the door -- two-thirds had landed a job purely because of an existing contact they had.

A quarter said they have a particular person or contact whom they feel gave them a chance and helped them with the knowledge that allowed them to carve out their career.

While more than half of those surveyed said the ability to make relevant contacts helps them overcome some of the obstacles women still face in the workplace.

A spokeswoman for Shapr said: "This survey illustrates the importance of networking regularly and meeting professionals across your industry to help tackle gender bias in the workplace. Sixty-seven percent of women surveyed reported they were able to land a job because of a pre-existing contact who submitted a resume internally, provided a recommendation, or shared a less publicized opportunity. The results show that building professional relationships is one of the most impactful strategies for career advancement."

Forty-seven percent of women feel that equality in workplace opportunities has improved slightly in the last five years. Yet more than a quarter of women sadly felt there have been no improvements for women's opportunities.

The spokeswoman continued: "With more than half of women reporting little to no improvement for workplace opportunities in the last five years, we need tools that help women to get ahead. Shapr's goal is to make networking inspiring, manageable and useful. This goal is accomplished through a time effective app that introduces professionals with common interests. By giving women more opportunities to engage in one to one networking, we can help eliminate the gender bias."

The report also unveiled the women in the spotlight who are doing the most for women in the workplace and found Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Tina Fey topping the list.

While the business-running woman American women would most like to meet and get guidance and mentorship from is Oprah Winfrey, according to results.