Title: Through the glass ceiling: is mentoring the way forward?

Authors: Caprice Lantz-Deaton; Nayyara Tabassum; Bryan McIntosh

Addresses: University of Bradford, Richmond Road, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK ' Royal Mencap Society, 123 Golden Lane, London, EC1Y0RT, UK ' University of Bradford, Richmond Road, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK

Abstract: Over the past 30 years, the term the 'glass ceiling' has come to be known as a metaphor for vertical segregation, symbolising an invisible barrier that prevents women from progressing in their careers. Increasingly women are found in higher level positions and mentoring has often been touted as an important way to help women break through the glass ceiling. This paper explores the continued relevance of the glass ceiling and the use of mentoring programs as a means to help women to overcome it. The findings suggest that although some women have penetrated the glass ceiling, further work is needed if a more equitable number of women are to advance to senior level positions. Whilst mentoring can play an important role in helping women to achieve more senior positions, mentoring is not a panacea but only one of many strategies that must be adopted to effectively address the phenomenon of the glass ceiling.

Keywords: gender; equality of opportunity; mentoring; glass ceiling; work; human resources; vertical segregation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHRDM.2018.093486

International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management, 2018 Vol.18 No.3/4, pp.167 - 197

Accepted: 19 Jan 2018
Published online: 26 Jul 2018 *

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