Managers remain resistant to the idea of senior staff being able to work part-time, an attitude that is deterring many women from reaching their full potential in the workplace.

The study into women and part-time work by academics at Britain's Sheffield Hallam University found that nearly three million women did jobs that failed to employ them to their full potential, and were often over-qualified or had more experience then necessary.

A key reason for this was the lack of part-time jobs at more senior levels, it concluded.