Lesson Starter

What will I learn? Explain what is meant by the term the ‘glass ceiling’. Select and explain evidence of gender inequalities in earnings and in the gender distribution of ‘top jobs’. Describe the ways in which the ‘glass ceiling’ prevents women from achieving their potential in employment. Describe and evaluate the findings of the 2011 Sex and Power Report Scotland.

Success Criteria I can… Explain what is meant by the term the ‘glass ceiling’. Select and explain evidence of gender inequalities in earnings and in the gender distribution of ‘top jobs’. Describe the ways in which the ‘glass ceiling’ prevents women from achieving their potential in employment. Describe and evaluate the findings of the 2011 Sex and Power Report Scotland.

The Glass Ceiling http:// Nicola Sturgeon speech referring to glass ceiling, 45 minutes in.

Have women achieved equality? Women are still not fully equal to men despite various pieces of legislation being passed to try to achieve more equality. The main reasons are: Continued direct discrimination from some men. The difficulty if proving sex discrimination cases where a woman has to prove it was her gender and no other reason that caused her problem e.g. not being selected for a job. The reluctance of many women to take an employer to an industrial tribunal as they may then look for an excuse to sack her later. Many women are reluctant to push themselves forward due to the demands of family life, lack of confidence, the effects of stereotyping at home and in school. The ‘glass ceiling’ is the phrase used to describe an invisible barrier which women face when trying to access top jobs.

The Glass Ceiling – why does it exist? There is still some evidence of sexism (discrimination) against women, in employment. This situation does seems to be improving though. Women's role in raising children. Many companies do not offer much in the way of child care facilities. Often women take jobs to suit families even if this means part time or less skilled work. Women as the main carers, take career breaks which prevent career development. There is evidence that some jobs are still tougher for women to break into than others such as the law, finance and business.

The Glass Ceiling – why does it exist? It is difficult for women to access male-dominated networks based on after-hours socialising in the pub or golf club – These networks can influence appointments and promotions. ‘Presenteeism’ is the idea that senior management must be seen working long hours – there is a lack of part-time work and flexible working at senior levels. Stereotyping and discrimination. Male directors may develop prejudices about a woman’s commitment and ambition – having children is not compatible to senior roles. Lack of role models. There are very few female role models in senior positions to dispel these stereotypes and to inspire women to move to senior levels. (However Michelle Mone – Ultimo, Deborah Meaden Dragons Den, Karen Brady The Apprentice etc).

Why Do Women Earn Less than Men? Women tend to earn less than men because women: More often take lower paid jobs (the 5 Cs) especially if they are lone parents. Illegally receive lower pay for same work. Traditional role as mother / carer holds them back in employment / for promotion. More likely to work part-time.

Why Do Women Earn Less than Men? The full time gender pay gap is 10%, and the average part-time pay gap is 34.5%. It is estimated that for each year a mother is absent from the workplace her future wages will reduce by 5%. Approximately 70% of people in national minimum wage jobs are women. 54% of women working part-time have been found to be ‘employed below their potential’, which amounts to 2.8 million women.

Why Do Women Earn Less than Men? Women are over-represented in areas of the economy that are low paid. Nearly 2/3 of women are employed in 12 occupation groups. They are sometimes called the 5 C’s – caring, cashiering, cleaning, catering and clerical occupations.

The 5Cs CateringCashiering CleaningCaring Clerical 75% of catering industry are female.

Stand and Deliver task As you have now written down the 5 C’s in your notes, we are now gong to test if you know them. Take 2 minutes to read over them and learn them. Now close your folder, jotter etc. All pupils in the group should stand. Number yourselves 1-4. When the teacher tells you starting with number 1, you must (from memory – don’t cheat!!) tell your group what the 5 C’s are. It then goes to number 2,3 and 4 to do the same. You must remember all the facts- EVERYONE in the group! You cannot sit down until everyone in the group is confident that they know them all.

Are there cracks appearing in the ‘glass ceiling’? Here is the evidence that proves there might be… Girls now outperform boys at all stages of education. Girls are now entering traditional male jobs e.g. engineering. Increased numbers of girls entering all the professions even those traditionally seen as male dominated jobs e.g. law and accounting. Increased numbers of female managers who will in time move to senior positions. More women elected to the House of Commons and the other parliaments/ councils in the UK. More effective laws and procedures.

Women on Top – BBC 2012 Hilary Devey Watch this clip on a documentary which was on BBC. As you do, take notes on it. Did anything surprise you? Could you live this woman's’ life?

The Sex and Power Report 2011 – Missing Women Women in this country are better educated than ever before. They are graduating from university in ever increasing numbers and achieve better degree results than men. Intelligent, competent women are flooding the junior ranks of law firms, accountancies and medical practices. These women step on the career ladder and work hard. In their twenties they are level peg with men and therefore we would expect them to enter the management ranks at the same rate as men. However, several years down the track a different picture emerges – one where many have disappeared from the paid workforce or remain trapped in the ‘marzipan layer’ below senior management, leaving the higher ranks to be dominated by men. (‘marzipan layer’ on a cake is just below the icing – i.e. the top layer!)

The Sex and Power Report 2011 – Missing Women Increase in female MSPs ‑ 34.1% to 34.9% –still less than from 2003 (39.5 %). Similarly, for Scottish trade union general secretaries, the percentage of women in these posts rose from 20.6% to just 25.7%. For ministers in the Scottish Government, the increase is less than one percentage point. The results of the 2011 survey indicate that it will take another 70 years to achieve an equal number of women directors in the FTSE 100 and another 45 years to achieve an equal number of women in the senior judiciary. It will take another 14 general elections – that is, up to 70 years ‑ to achieve an equal number of women MPs in the UK parliament.

The Sex and Power Report 2011 – Missing Women

What do the statistics in the table show you? Write a brief paragraph explaining/ evaluating what the statistics from the 2011 Sex and Power Report Scotland have shown you.

Recent Developments… Nicola Sturgeon appointed first female Scottish First Minister in November Has created a cabinet with a split. The number of women in the Government overall now exceeds 40 per cent for the first time. This shows definite progress for women in politics, although critics might argue that some women have been appointed to the cabinet because they are women…not because they are best for the job aspx - new cabinet November 2014http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/New-ministerial-line-up-unveiled aspx

Clips… R5orTEI0 – This Week discussion about the glass ceiling etc. Hilary Devey. R5orTEI0

I can… Explain what is meant by the term the ‘glass ceiling’. Select and explain evidence of gender inequalities in earnings and in the gender distribution of ‘top jobs’. Describe the ways in which the ‘glass ceiling’ prevents women from achieving their potential in employment. Describe and evaluate the findings of the 2011 Sex and Power Report Scotland.