Majority of women over 45 in Scotland have not negotiated salaries in five years, survey finds

Over 80% of women in Scotland over 45 have not negotiated their salary in the last five years, Florence Rolland’s survey has found.

Specifically, 84% of those aged 45 to 54 and 83% of those 55 to 64 have not negotiated their salary in this period.

Rolland’s survey, which covered 2,000 women across the UK, revealed that men tend to negotiate salaries more frequently, while women often accept initial offers without dispute.

Rolland attributed this reluctance to factors like social conditioning and fear of employer backlash.

In Wales, 68% of women aged 35 to 44 avoided negotiating to avoid being seen as difficult.

Women in the East Midlands showed the lowest confidence levels, with 76% expressing doubt.

Similarly, 64% in Wales, 66% in Northern Ireland, and 62% in Scotland reported low confidence.

The survey also pointed out that 54% of women in Wales aged 35 to 44 are unlikely to negotiate their salary after maternity leave.

In contrast, 47% of London-based mothers expressed their willingness to negotiate.

Rolland said: “By improving negotiation skills, women can take control of their financial futures.

“Negotiation is not just about asking for a higher salary—it is about communicating one’s value effectively, setting professional expectations, and ensuring that compensation reflects skills, experience, and contributions.

“Employers expect candidates to negotiate, and those who do are often rewarded with better pay and benefits.”

Rolland added: “By embracing negotiation as a necessary skill, women can break barriers, challenge outdated norms, and ensure they receive the compensation they deserve.

“94% of women would feel more confident about negotiating if they took part in training.

“Learning to negotiate is not just about individual gain—it is a step toward a more equitable workforce where talent and contributions are valued equally, regardless of gender.”