The Glass Ceiling Phenomenon :: Business Management Studies

The Glass Ceiling Phenomenon ‘The Glass Ceiling’ is a barrier to prevent women rising to the highest positions in an organization as a result of informal exclusionary practices (cited in Giddens 2002, pg, 552). These practices include sexual harassment, sexual discrimination and pregnancy discrimination. Explanations for the ‘glass ceiling’ phenomena derive from the stereotype of women into traditional roles. Many men still carry the attitude despite living in this modern day and age that women are not capable of higher managerial roles and that their place rightfully belongs at home along with the house-hold chores. There is also the point that many corporate firms think twice before employing women for the top position, in terms of their level of commitment, for it is inevitable that every woman will want to have a child at some point in their life. However maternity leave is viewed upon as an expense in terms of money and the valuable time that is wasted in order to fill the vacant position. The organisational structure is another barrier that women have to contend with for it is evident that most firms are male dominated and huddle together when it comes to after work social activities, thus leaving the woman to feel as an out cast. An article published in The Guardian 25/09/2002 backs ‘The Glass Ceiling’ phenomena as it shows that women are still not making it to the top of their professions, despite thirty years of equal opportunities policies in the public and voluntary sectors. While there may be some women higher up in management it can be argued that these are just ‘token’ positions so that the corporate management cannot be accused of discrimination. Those few who are successful in making it are then dealt the blow of being paid substantially less