Female workers feel they are underpaid by 25%

Most women believe they are being underpaid, sometimes by as much as 25 per cent, and expected a bigger wage rise this year than men.

A survey of more than 1,000 office workers showed that a third of women wanted a pay increase of up to 4 per cent in 2011, slightly more than men's salary aspirations.

Almost one in three of the women questioned said they suspected colleagues at the same level were paid more, but most were unaware of industry rates for the job.

Men were more likely to know what they should be earning and were prepared to make sure their employer knew as well, said the report by a new salary comparative website, MySalaryChecker.com.

Andy Powell, from recruitment firm Adecco, said: "It's particularly disturbing that female workers have the perception that they are underpaid, but are not confident in understanding what they may be worth in the jobs market. We encourage workers to understand what the market rate is for their role."