The term glass ceiling refers to invisible, yet real or perceived, barriers found in many organizational structures that appear to stymie the executive advancement opportunities of women and minorities..
The Glass Ceiling Commission was created as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1991. The mandate of the commission was to focus greater public attention on the importance of eliminating barriers and to promote workforce diversity." The commission, which was staffed by the U.S. Department of Labor, was asked to specifically look at the compensation systems and reward structures currently used in the workplace, and at how business fills management and decision-making positions and trains and develops employees for advancement. According to the commission's initial report, the three most common practices that contribute to the creation of a glass ceiling are (1) word-of-mouth recruiting (or using executive search firms without stating an interest in a diverse array of candidates), (2) inadequate access to developmental opportunities for women and minorities, and (3) a lack of responsibility among senior management for equal employment opportunity efforts.34 Subsequently. the 'commission, "which was dissolved in I 995," formulated the following suggestions for toppling job-advancement barriers:
• Demonstrate commitment. Top management should communicate its dedication to diversity and enact policies that promote it.
• Hold line managers accountable for progress by including diversity in all strategic business plans. Performance appraisals, compensation incentives, and other evaluation measures should reflect this priority.
• Use affirmative action as a tool to ensure that all qualified individuals compete based on ability and merit.
• Expand your pool of candidates. Look for prospects from noncustornary sources who may have nontraditional backgrounds and experiences. • Educate all employees about the strengths and challenges of gender, racial, ethnic, and cultural differences.
• Initiate family-friendly programs that help men and women balance their work and family responsibilities."