A survey of New Zealand-based financial services professionals suggests the sector’s view of itself as one of the leaders in promoting gender diversity is flawed.

The survey by the Bank of New Zealand and the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (Finsia) reports the views of 272 New Zealand-based respondents. Most are middle management or senior executive level.

Finsia CEO Russell Thomas says the New Zealand results echo similar research done in 2010 inside the Australian financial services sector.

“What can’t be denied is that women overwhelmingly reported that their experience of the workforce is different to men in that they are disadvantaged in relation to promotional opportunities, treatment in meetings, training and development opportunities, pay and benefits and inclusion in social and other work-related activities,” he said.

While respondents acknowledged that their organisations prioritised the promotion of women to senior roles, 69.9% of women said their place of work was not transparent about salary parity.

Respondents “would prefer a more sophisticated and mature approach” to gender diversity in the workplace, but women in particular remain sceptical that this will occur.

“Both men and women are hearing the talk, but there is uncertainty among women about whether this has translated into real action,” Mr Thomas said.

The survey also finds that 36.2% of women believe they are treated differently to their male colleagues in the workplace and in social or work-related activities.

One of the most notable survey findings came from questions asking how to increase women’s participation in financial services. Nearly 40% of men and 43.6% of women agreed the answer lies in more flexible work options.