How Women are Breaking the Glass Ceiling at Work

I was talking to few of my female friends working in large corporate to ask if Glass Ceiling exists in their company or not. I was surprised to find that many of them didn’t even know the meaning of glass ceiling although they face the glass ceiling barrier. To quote from Wikipedia, Glass Ceiling is defined as

The irony is that for lot of working women the term “Glass Ceiling” is invisible from their corporate dictionary!Anyways, Now women are trying to break the class ceiling and even the corporate are trying to help them. They are definitely meeting the expectation and exceeding it at times.

While standing in my corridor, I saw a group of women going to work early in the morning; that also in the month of January, when people like to get wrapped in a cozy blanket. It was not surprising for me. Because I know how women are moving a step ahead than their counterpart. Morning phase used to be busiest one. You have to prepare your husband`s lunch, you have to make your child `s mood to turn for school. This time is full of blah-blah. In spite of all these duties, it`s only a woman who can manage to move out of her shell completing all other tasks. If you will see around yourself, you will find that its woman who is managing out and in tasks beautifully. Not only corporate women but women working in the unorganized sector are going the extra mile to improve their quality of life. When I go to buy the vegetables, it’s a woman! The person who cleans your building must be a woman, the person who comes at your home early morning for cleaning and dusting is a woman. Have you ever noticed how punctual they are. They come on time, so that you may not get late for your office. It shows their seriousness towards their work.

It`s just an example to show the work of a woman. It`s really appreciable, how they have succeeded in making their own position in this stereotype male dominated society. I know, still many of my friends need a push to come out of their shell. They are having the caliber to do something but they easily say “ Nahi Yaar, Yeh mere Bas ka Nahi Hai.” They have declared themselves as good for nothing. This is why I am telling you, don`t look at the upper class, it`s not just top business woman; who can inspire you. You can take inspiration from several female workers around you. I have taken inspiration from my grand mother who was running her own food joint in the 70s. Was it her cup of tea at that time? No!!! But, she tried and slowly and slowly, succeeded. We often talk about “Barrier”; barrier is no where, it’s all in the mind. It`s your vision, how you see the things.

When you go to prepare food. You follow the things step by step. Same needs to be done while building your career.

Who said, it’s easy but where there is a will, there is a way. It was a “human” who made computer. Computer didn’t make human. Here are some tips to break the glass ceiling, which is surrounding you.

Now it`s time to move towards more career –oriented courses. The courses like B.B.A. (Bachelor in business administration); B.M.C. (Bachelor in mass communication); B.Ed. (Bachelor in education), etc. Now, it`s a generation of professional courses which yields quick result. By doing such courses, you are more likely to get employed. It increases your probability of fetching the job. Earlier, we use to study the traditional course, but it`s no more in fashion now. The professional courses make you aware about the current scenario of business and work culture. What will you do by knowing what Akbar did in his kingdom? It`s time to become pragmatic now. According to your interest and what you want to become in future, chose your course of education. This is a point where most of the people commit mistake. I myself opted for “biology” as a subject in my intermediate while I aspire to become an I.A.S. officer. Your planning must be as per your goal. Don`t keep on using hit & trial method.

Women are known to be more compassionate by nature than their male counterpart. This is why in every private organization you will find a “Female HR” not male. They are more patient and this reflects in their work. They have the ability to convince some body more tact fully. They are not short – tempered like most of the men. This is why they get more responsible positions. They are showing excellence in managing resources for the organization. Either at home or at work place, no body wants to get ruled by a female. This is where you will face challenge. But, you must over look such things and keep on moving. Your male counter part may not give you that preference. But, nowadays, even female are going that extra mile to join the race. And, it would be not early to say that, they are winning the race.

Most companies today have strict policies regarding behavioural conduct within the office premises. If you are unable to handle the situation, speaking to either someone in the senior management or to the HR is the next best thing to do. Keep a record of all the offensive things that have been said to you and you can present that to the HR or senior management, this will help strengthen your case. They will have to take action when misconduct of this sort is brought to their notice. The person making those sexists remarks will be cautious before he utters anything offensive next time around because he knows he will be reprimanded if he does.

Now, even women are ready with their bag and baggage to attain any seminars or conference out station. They don`t waste time in thinking, then asking at home and then finally replying to the management. They are trying to match with men in every phase. Be it working inside the office or outside. They are always ready and show keenness towards the requirement of time. When there is a work shop being conducted; sometimes it happens, that more number of women join it rather than men. They are showing positive response towards on- shore projects as well. They are ready to live out of their suitcase. They have accepted the fact that travelling for business meetings is a part and parcel of their work. So, they are not hesitant in this.

It cannot be over looked in any case. Support from family is very essential. Women are climbing the ladder of success constantly. It has been possible; due to major support from family. Family, not only boost your morale but motivates you for further growth as well. Now, women can talk freely about work after marriage. They are able to keep their point in front of their family and even family is supporting them in their decision. They get time from their parents to build-up their career first before entering in to the married life. Their parents are also understanding their point and granting them the freedom requires. Their spouses are becoming more responsible about their corporate needs. This is why; women are able to manage work life balance successfully.

Companies like Accenture; help women to grow in the ladder. They have some quota reserved for the women promotion. The vision behind this is; there will be more women in management by the year 2020. The ratio should be justifiable 50:50. Due to the un favorable circumstances, normally, capable women use to feel like being handicapped. Moreover, the opposite gender doesn`t want to be ruled by a women. Hence, there must be some extra provisions for women development. Skill of the women must not get lost in between recipes and babies. We all must contribute in Skill India. In the coming years, you may find that, the ratio of skilled women is greater than skilled men.

To Summarize, I would like to end with a quote from Aretha Franklin