Law firms have been urged to focus on what actually works when it comes to tackling gender inequality, after a survey found most female legal professionals believe measures adopted by their organisations to be ineffective.

According to a survey from the Next 100 Years project, just 45% of 204 respondents thought measures to remove career barriers for women at their organisation were effective.

Nearly all firms appear to allow remote or hybrid working. Most allow part-time working. Just under half of firms offer mentoring and coaching support. Less than half offer women’s networks, flexitime and additional support for maternity returners. Only 4% offer financial support for childcare.

An overwhelming majority of respondents thought remote/hybrid and part-time working were effective. Only 35% thought external diversity pledges worked.

A fifth of respondents did not believe work was allocated fairly between men and women. Over a third believed working from home could be detrimental to getting the best work, while more than half thought working part-time would have the same negative impact.

Most respondents thought mentoring and coaching, visible role models, women networking events and sector-specific representative groups for women could help women to progress their careers.

Solicitor Dana Denis-Smith, founder of Next 100 Years, said: ‘With organisations adopting a wide range of new initiatives, from gender-blind work allocation to fertility services and menopause support, it’s time to take a step back and focus on what women are telling us really works.’