MODULE CONTENTS
This module explores the career obstacles facing women in the professional world, focusing on the concepts of "glass ceilings", "glass walls" and "sticky floors". These metaphors represent the invisible barriers that limit women's access to strategic positions, whether through institutional blockages, gender stereotypes or under-representation in key sectors. The module also examines how these barriers hinder women's progress and contribute to professional inequality.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Career Obstacles: Glass Ceilings, Glass Walls and Sticky Floors
In the professional world, women are often confronted with invisible barriers that hinder their progress towards positions of responsibility. These barriers, though invisible, are real and take many forms, such as the "glass ceiling", "glass walls" and the "sticky floor".
The glass ceiling is a metaphor for the invisible barrier that prevents women from gaining access to high-level positions in both the professional and political worlds. This phenomenon cannot be explained solely by direct discrimination, but also by institutional blockages and cultural norms that still value a male model of leadership. The difficulty for women of reconciling their private and professional lives, as well as the value placed on availability and mobility, are all factors that limit their access to management positions.
Glass walls point to another major obstacle: when women do reach high-level positions, they are often confined to areas considered less strategic for the company, such as human resources or communications. This prevents them from reaching the highest levels of the hierarchy.
The sticky floor is another barrier to women's progress at the start of their careers. Unlike men, who are often quick to achieve functional promotions, women find it difficult to climb the ladder, especially for positions requiring technical skills and more complex management. They are more likely to work part-time or in precarious positions.
These career obstacles contribute to the under-representation of women in strategic positions, and to persistent pay and career inequalities. Understanding these dynamics is essential if we are to combat these obstacles and promote a more inclusive and egalitarian working environment.
