High-profile sex discrimination cases do more harm than good in aiding the cause of women in the workplace, according to the results of Financial News’ Women in Finance survey. But while titillating cases create waves in the media, lawyers say it is the large volume of cases settled out of court that is driving change in how companies treat female staff.

FN asked survey respondents whether they thought high-profile sex discrimination cases were a help, hindrance or made no difference to them. The results were fairly evenly spread: 34% said they helped to raise awareness, 37% believed they were a hindrance, and the remaining 29% said they made no difference.