Glass Ceiling
Abstract
In this new century, women are leaders in industry, government and organizations worldwide. Much progress has been made for women's advancement, with yet more to achieve. This article presents a perspective on the status of women in the workplace in the United States and abroad--with
a focus on corporate work life. Human resource professionals will find valuable information, insights and recommendations to combat the glass ceiling, advance women in the workplace and expand women's leadership roles on domestic and global fronts.
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Worldwide, individual women have been breaking through the glass ceiling. Since the year 2000, New Zealand has appointed its first woman prime minister; the first woman became president of Central Bank in Finland; the former president of Ireland became the first woman Commissioner of Human Rights in the United Nations; and the World Health Organization has its first woman Director-General, the former prime minister of Norway. (1)
"Women advance in the workplace but still trail men."
Yet, newspaper headlines today highlight the glass ceiling which continues to affect women in the workplace. This issue of Research Quarterly explores facets of the glass ceiling focusing on domestic and international research regarding personal, institutional and societal barriers that affect women's advancement--and how human resource professionals and organizations can address these issues.
Definition of the Glass Ceiling
The term "glass ceiling" was coined in a 1986 Wall Street Journal report on corporate women by Hymowitz and Schellhardt. (2) The glass ceiling is a concept that most frequently refers to barriers faced by women who attempt, or aspire, to attain senior positions (as well as higher salary levels) in corporations, government, education and nonprofit organizations. It can also refer to racial and ethnic minorities and men when they experience barriers to...
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