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The glass ceiling is dead as a concept for today’s modern career
22/08/2012
By Daniel Hunter
The concept of a single glass ceiling is an outdated model and no longer reflects the realities of modern working life for women, according to the results of a poll released by Ernst & Young.
The survey of 1,000 UK working women between the ages of 18 - 60, revealed that two thirds believe they faced multiple barriers throughout their careers, rather than just a single ceiling on entry to the boardroom.
Four key careers barriers throughout a woman’s career
Based on the results, Ernst & Young has identified four key barriers to career progression for today’s working women. These barriers are: age, lack of role models, motherhood, and qualifications and experience.
The professional services firm says that the barriers aren’t chronological and can be experienced at anytime; often several at once. And while they aren’t exclusive to women, it believes it is clear from the research that employers need to provide better support to help women overcome them.
British business losing best and brightest female talent
“The focus around gender diversity has increasingly been on representation in the boardroom and this is still very important — as members of the 30% Club we are committed to this," Liz Bingham, Ernst & Young’s managing partner for people, said.
“But the notion that there is a single glass-ceiling for women, as a working concept for today’s modern career, is dead. Professional working women have told us they face multiple barriers on their rise to the top.
"As a result, British business is losing its best and brightest female talent from the pipeline before they have even had a chance to smash the glass ceiling. We recognise that in our own business, and in others, and professional women clearly experience it — that’s what they have told us.”
Ernst & Young’s head... continued on page two >
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