glass ceiling

glass ceiling

The systemic discrimination (likened to a physical barrier) against certain groups in the workplace, especially women, that prevents them from advancing. Many people believe that a glass ceiling exists within the tech industry because not many women hold prominent positions in the field.
See also: ceiling, glass
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

glass ceiling

An unacknowledged discriminatory barrier to advancement, especially for women and minorities. For example, Harriet knew she'd never be promoted-she would never get through the glass ceiling. [1980s]
See also: ceiling, glass
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

the glass ceiling

COMMON If you talk about the glass ceiling, you mean the opinions and attitudes which prevent people, especially women, from being given the most important jobs. At the age of 43 she became the highest ranking woman officer in the country, only to find she'd hit the glass ceiling. A woman judge has at last succeeded in breaking through the glass ceiling into the Court of Appeal, the second highest court in the land.
See also: ceiling, glass
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

glass ceiling

An invisible barrier to promotion. This term was born in the women’s movement of the 1970s, when it became clear that in many organizations and businesses discrimination barred women and minorities from advancing beyond a certain point. It is well on its way to clichédom.
See also: ceiling, glass
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • the glass ceiling
  • Jim Crow
  • play the (something) card
  • play the card
  • BIPOC
  • behind the curve
  • glass over
  • the (something) card
  • race card
  • the race card
References in periodicals archive
Studies show that the glass ceiling phenomenon differs significantly between the West and the East.
EXAMINING THE EFFECT OF LEADERSHIP ON WOMEN CAREER PATHS IN THE MIDDLE-EAST: A MEDIATION EFFECT OF GLASS CEILING
In the wake of the US election result, we should all vow to put so much strain on that glass ceiling that it shatters.
We must continue fight to smash glass ceiling
To obtain the Glass Ceiling Media Package, visit: http://www.glassceilingreno.org/GlassCeiling_MediaPackage.pdf
STEM-Based Weather Balloon Competition Announced for Washoe County School District
What glass ceiling? - debating the issues To highlight gender and diversity issues in the industry ICE West Midlands will host a debate on 23 June at the Priory Rooms, Birmingham at 6.00 pm - 8.00 pm - 'What glass ceiling?
Celebrating achievements of women in engineering
She said: "No young girl should grow up in 2015 with the prospect of facing a glass ceiling that limits her ambitions.
FM We will smash this glass ceiling
To some, dissecting the numbers, party affiliations and geographical distribution of female political leaders will yield the conclusion that a glass ceiling still exists.
Men, women and politics; Tough game requires merit above all
(http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/interviews-videos/4112/women-in-the-city-skanska-s-katy-dowding-on-breaking-the-glass-ceiling.html) Women in the City: Skanska's Katy Dowding on Breaking the Glass Ceiling
Inga Beale Appointed as Lloyd's of London's First Female CEO
Women have been bumping into the glass ceiling ever since they entered the US labor force, so author Janet Pucino's thesis isn't new.
Not in the Club
The leading women debated whether a 'glass ceiling' really exists or if there has been a tangible shift in attitude towards women in the workplace, a statement from the university said.
200 participate in Womena,e1/4,aos Lunchbox event
Women's access to leadership positions and authority in organizations and society is limited by social norms, organizational cultures, and structures collectively referred to as 'the glass ceiling'.
Breaking the stained glass ceiling: African women's leadership in religious organizations
Jo's previous books are The Business Rules, An Entrepreneur's Guide and Tales from the Glass Ceiling - A Survival Guide for Women in Business.
Jo goes by the book!
However, regardless of promising equal employment opportunity policies, women employees are often knocked down on the imperceptible, but inextricably institutionalised and repressive, transparent barricades, which is technically called the glass ceiling. Hence, this phenomenon in organisational settings implicitly conveys that the opportunity to get promoted to higher echelons in the corridors of organisational power and authority is not as easy as that of being absorbed into organisational fraternity.
Why do women still experience downward gravitation in the corporate ladder? A close look at glass ceiling in Bahrain
The glass ceiling has come to epitomize the collective forces at corporations that prevent women from rising to the C-suite in numbers on par with men.
Editor'sdesk
'The Glass Ceiling - is it Myth or Reality?' takes place on February 1 from 6pm at the Quay Hotel in Deganwy.
Have your say on the 'glass ceiling' business ROUND UP
Cracking the highest glass ceiling; a global comparison of women's campaigns for executive office.
Cracking the highest glass ceiling; a global comparison of women's campaigns for executive office