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More than one [in / by] four British mothers who have returned to work feel discriminated [for / against] . This is according [to / by] a survey conducted by the legal firm Slater and Gordon (S&G). Researchers questioned 1,975 women about their experiences in the workplace before and [after / post] giving birth. Most of the women had never [flied / filed] any kind of complaint as they [suspected / suspicion] it would be a waste of time and be even more detrimental to their career [respects / prospects] . Grievances [aired / earthed] in the survey included mothers being overlooked for promotion, and more junior employees progressing faster up the career [stairs / ladder] . Another common gripe was their points of view being considered less [worth / worthy] than those of colleagues without children.

The findings contrast [at / with] the opinions of managers and [employees / employers] . A director at Britain's Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said: "We don't recognise the [picture / portrait] painted here. Our experience is that…businesses are better than [ever / even] at managing [maternity / paternity] leave and reintegrating mothers on their [homecoming / return] ." The UK's employment minister Jo Swinson said: "The government is committed to making [ensure / sure] that more businesses [make / do] the best use of women's talents throughout the organisation, from boardroom to the shop [ceiling / floor] ." S&G lawyer Kiran Daurka said: "It is shocking that so few women speak out when they suffer discrimination." She accused employers of avoiding the issues and of "burying their heads in the [beach / sand] ".