The Glass Ceiling Phenomenon
Activity Description:
Purpose:
To help students critique the perspectives from which women and glass ceiling issues are addressed.
Steps:
- Have students read the articles for homework.
- Ask students to prepare a 1-page response paper for each article.
BusinessWeek, December 22, 2003
- Why should recruiters “look farther afield for candidates,” to increase “the likelihood of women landing seats?”
- Which of the four perspectives does this represent?
- What are the benefits and problems associated with this perspective?
- Critique the conclusion that the share of women on boards is growing.
The Wall Street Journal, Feb 3, 2004, page B1
- What are the stated differences between women and men?
- What are the professional dangers associated with a willingness to be “grinds?”
- What are the critical needs of women who desire to succeed in management?
- Put students in small groups to discuss responses to above questions.
- Ask each group to briefly present the group’s response to entire class.
- Engage the class in a discussion that is focused on perspectives that guide
- organizational behavior,
- research agendas, and
- development of workplace policies.
Activity Source:
Content contributed by Prudence L. Pollard, Ph.D. as a Suggested Work and Family Class Activity