Glass ceiling
WordNet
noun
(1) A ceiling based on attitudinal or organizational bias in the work force that prevents minorities and women from advancing to leadership positions
WiktionaryText
Etymology
, indicating transparency to allude to the unofficial nature of the limitation, and , suggesting a barrier to upward advancement.
Noun
- An unwritten, uncodified barrier to further promotion or progression for a member of a specific demographic group.
- 2007: Women are “woefully” under-represented in parliament, the courts and the boardroom, with new research showing that the glass ceiling is still holding back 6,000 women from the top 33,000 jobs in Britain. — The Guardian 5th Jan 2007, p. 1