The discrimination of gay and lesbian job seekers is commonplace within both private firms and the public sector in the United Kingdom, according to a recent study.

Researchers at Anglia Ruskin University found that gay applicants of both sexes are 5 percent less likely to be offered a job interview than heterosexual applicants with comparable skills and experience.

The study involved 144 young people -- all first-time job seekers -- making 11,098 applications.

Based on the findings, the firms who offer interviews to gay male candidates pay an average salary of 2 percent less than those who invite heterosexuals for interview. For lesbian women the average salary is 1.4 percent less.

Gay men receive the fewest invitations for interviews in traditionally male-dominated occupations, such as accounting, banking, finance and management jobs, whereas lesbians receive the fewest invitations for interviews in traditionally female-dominated occupations such as social care, social services and charity jobs.

There were 74 occasions in the accounting, banking, finance and management sector when only the heterosexual candidate was offered an interview and not the gay male candidate with comparable skills and experience, but no instances of only the gay male candidate being offered an interview.

Similarly, there were 63 examples when only heterosexual women were offered an interview in the social care, social services and charity sector, but no examples of only the lesbian candidate being offered an interview.

The study was carried out with the help of 12 students' unions at universities across Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

"Because of the limited research carried out so far into the experiences of gays and lesbians in the labor market, the disadvantages and discrimination they experience has gone unnoticed and therefore unchallenged," Dr. Nick Drydakis, who led the study, said in a statement. "Despite measures to encourage openness and discourage discrimination, including the introduction of the Equality Act of 2010, it is evident from my research that gays and lesbians are encountering serious misconceptions and barriers in the job market."

The findings are detailed in the journal Human Relations.