A new study by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) has found that the difference in pay between male and female managers is intensified by the fact that men on average get double the bonuses of women. Male managers' average extra payments were £6,442 last year compared with £3,029 for women.

This year’s National Management Salary Survey also revealed that female managers stand to miss out on £141,500 worth of bonuses compared with men doing the same role over the course of a working lifetime. And that’s not all. The survey also shows women are still missing out on top positions as well as top salaries, which could be hindering organisational performance.

Lisa Smosarski, editor, Stylist, said: “Research we've done suggest that women aren't as assertive or as tough when it comes to salary and promotion negotiations. It seems we are less likely to ask for our worth, so that has to be the first step. Set your eyes on your target, work hard to prove yourself and then ask. Men are four times more likely than women to ask for a pay increase - that plays a significant part in gender pay equality.”