London

WOMEN working in financial services in London have much lower expectations for their annual bonuses than their male colleagues, reflecting the fact that they are less well represented in more lucrative jobs, a survey has found.

Women surveyed by recruitment firm Astbury Marsden expected on average to receive a bonus this year of just over £16,000 (S$34,182), or 21 per cent of their salary, while men anticipated bonuses of £33,000 or 34 per cent. "The reality is that the sectors where there is a high reward culture are still male-dominated with women often making up a larger proportion of the non-commission earning side of businesses such as HR (human resources) or marketing," said Adam Jackson, managing director at Astbury Marsden. "Trading floors . . . have a reputation for being largely a male environment, and many women can be put off from applying to these types of roles," he said.