1)https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1314788111
2)https://blog.clearcompany.com/12-workplace-diversity...
3)https://womenintheworkplace.com/
4)https://quantic.edu/.../how-many-fortune-500-ceos-are-women/
5)https://fortune.com/.../female-ceos-fortune-500-2021.../...
6)https://online.edhec.edu/en/blog/break-the-glass-ceiling/
7)https://www.chicagobooth.edu/review/how-get-more-woman-ceos
8. https://builtin.com/diversity-inclusion/diverse-business-thrives
9. https://builtin.com/diversity-inclusion/glass-ceiling
10. https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/business/trends-and-insights/articles/6-ways-to-shatter-the-glass-ceiling-from-above/
11. https://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health/glass-ceiling-effect-its-impact-on-women/
12. https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/how-to-get-past-the-glass-ceiling
13. https://news.uchicago.edu/story/whats-holding-women-back-top-paying-jobs

The other day, I was having a conversation with my wife about the challenges of working and raising a child. Man, it's tough! But then she said something that made me sit up... "It was more difficult for me to come back to work after having a baby." "I felt there was a silent expectation to give up my career to be a mother." "Men just don't have to deal with it as much..."

I was intrigued. I knew there were challenges for women, but having a baby literally affected her job progression? So, I decided to do some INTERNETS to understand the issue more.

And that's when I discovered the term — THE GLASS CEILING. Simply put, the "glass ceiling" is a metaphor for invisible impediments that prevent women and minorities from achieving professional success. The glass ceiling as a whole involves a lot of complex elements, but it's highly influenced by society and workplace culture. So let's break it down!

1. Maternal Ceiling. Pregnant women and working mothers often face the "maternal wall". These are associated structures and stereotypes related to a woman's role and needing to take time off for childcare. "You do the assignment, Jack! Sarah, we'll discuss your role when you come back from maternity leave!" This often places women that want to start a family at a disadvantage. This expectation can be detrimental to BOTH women, that want to further their careers, and men, that want to be active fathers. For men, there is often MORE of an expectation to prioritize their careers.

2. Bamboo Ceiling. This term is related to barriers that prevent Asians and Asian Americans from achieving upper-level professional success in the United States. Purely based on being Asian...

3. Concrete Ceiling. And then there's the concrete ceiling, relating to women (in general). This ceiling involves tough barriers to entry based on the colour of their skin, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, or age.

There are many more barriers, and they are most often invisible. In most societies, they also stack up, creating a "glass ceiling" that punish and prevent in equal measure. While statistics are wide and varying, here are a few that spoke to me...

Both male and female managers are twice as likely to hire men over women. Men are 30% more likely to achieve managerial roles. At companies where 90% of leadership is men, half of men at the company view women as being well-represented. 40% of people notice a double standard against female candidates.

So why does the glass ceiling still exist? Well, it's a deep and multi-faceted issue. At the same time, the prevalence of toxic norms and workplace culture plays a huge role. Gender Bias. Racism. Sexual Harassment. Gender Roles. Racial and Gender Discrimination.

Gender Roles. Gender roles are social constructs that are assigned due to sex. These roles are translated into academic interests (e.g. women are better at cooking), in professional careers. While boys are expected to be competitive and fearless, girls are expected to be feminine and polite. In the context of women, these differences punish women in their academic and professional careers who aspire to reach upper-level leadership roles.

Gender Bias. Women who do make it past job interviews are still subject to bias. This often comes in the form of discrimination, such as less support and pay than men who do the same job. Women roughly earn 82 cents for every dollar a man earns.

Sexual Harassment. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests, and favours are part and parcel of a woman's experience in toxic workplaces. This ALWAYS creates a hostile and offensive work environment that denies women from being promoted. (Men, if you didn't know — now you do!)

All of this hit me hard! These issues were something I never needed to worry about. So I wondered: What about I do, as an otter-man, to combat the glass ceiling?

1. If you are an employee and male. Understand the glass ceiling! Know the power structures in play, and how one person cannot change it alone. Understand how it works, spark conversations, and ACT! "GET OUT. NOW." "I think Julie has some great ideas..." Ensure women colleagues get the same opportunities, champion those that deserve success, and challenge discrimination when you see it.

2. If you are an employer. Conduct blind screenings, regular bias training, anti-discrimination policies and sexual harassment policies. It's an uncomfortable undertaking, but these cultures must be confronted to ensure a balanced, safe, and inclusive workplace. Having an expert in your team can help to make these conversations and changes productive.

3. If you are a woman or minority. For women, stay visible! Visibility doesn't mean being egocentric, it means stepping out of your comfort zone to lead. Pitch, collaborate, start something. Owning your personal brand can help — as you take control of how YOU are perceived, and not the other way around.

Lastly, thrive as a woman leader! Gender discrimination is slowly getting more awareness. But it can be extremely difficult to overcome by yourself. Find others that are aware of these structures, and workplaces that respect you and your time. Success is still about doing the hard-work, perseverance, and working with the right tribe of people that appreciate your skill sets. Always invest in yourself.

I know ALL this is easier said than done. But as a father, I just want to inspire others to create a better workplace for all, regardless of gender, race, age, and sexual orientation. Women are INCREDIBLE, and I will not be a part of a system that holds them back.

Together, breaking the glass ceiling is everyone's responsibility! Happy International Women's Day!