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Is the glass ceiling still in place?

by Community Team Posted: August 31, 2011 11:52 AM Last Updated: September 26, 2011 1:53 PM

Categories: Business, Community

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Despite making significant gains in the workforce in the last 20 years, a report released in August by the Conference Board of Canada suggests women still hold fewer senior management positions than men.
 
"Now that the rousing early days of feminism are behind us, perhaps we have become complacent about the success of women in senior management," said Anne Golden, President and CEO of the Conference Board.
 
Golden believes increasing female representation at an executive level is not only fair, but companies that fail to do so "risk losing market share, competitive advantage, and profits."
 
According to data from Statistics Canada, women made up almost 48 per cent of the Canadian labour force in 2009. But less than one per cent held senior management positions. 
 
The Conference Board of Canada report outlined some ways companies can increase the number of female managers, including:
 
  • Setting up mentoring and coaching programs.
  • Creating an inclusive work environment.
  • Highlighting role models and communicating success.
 
Are you surprised by the report's findings? What do you think companies should do to ensure more women hold senior level positions? Do you feel the glass ceiling is still in place?
 

(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)