A large proportion of IT contractors do not think that men and women will achieve equality in the workplace by 2020, a new survey reveals.

One-third of the working population feels that wage parity for men and women could be decades away, according to Friends Provident's Visions of Britain 2020 research.

The poll also claims that differing attitudes to work are providing barriers to equality in employment.

Money is the most important factor for 37 per cent of men, compared to just 27 per cent of women. Meanwhile, 56 per cent of women would not move for their job, with only 40 per cent of men saying the same.

"There seems to be an increasing demand from women for more flexible working hours and less call for higher salaries when compared to their male peers," said Gillian Fox, HR director for Friends Provident.

With a "growing number" of women looking for reduced working hours, employers will factor how this impacts productivity, and build it into future retention and employment strategies, Ms Fox added.

In February, the government's Equalities Office announced a strategy designed to encourage employers to provide more high-skilled part-time jobs for women, including senior roles.