EMPLOYERS had a long way to go before turning the "lip service" of wanting equality in the workplace in to a reality, according to a new report .

Managers recognised the value of having more women at all levels of an organisation, but more than half believed not enough was being done to promote diversity. A survey of 800 managers by campaign group Opportunity Now showed that almost half were unable to balance their own work and personal lives.

Three out of four worked more than 45 hours a week and almost one in five put in 60 hours, the study showed. Just over half of female managers believed one of the barriers to equality was the view that women were seen as less committed to their job because of the need to balance work and family.

Only one in five men agreed this was a problem.

Carolyn McCall, chairwoman of Opportunity Now, said: "Line managers play a vital role in encouraging diversity in the workplace. Our research shows they need genuine organisational commitment if real equality is to be delivered.

"Leaders can have a decisive impact on the behaviour of their managers, they need to lead by example and take action."

to ensure equality and diversity happens in practice."