What term describes invisible barriers that confine minorities and women to certain types of positions within organizations?

• A. Glass ceilings
• B. Glass walls
• C. Role restriction
• D. Career trap

Answer: (B)

Invisible barriers to advancement in organizations are described by a particular metaphor used in HR and DEI discussions. The term that best fits this idea is the glass ceiling, which captures the unseen obstacles that prevent minorities and women from reaching senior leadership roles, even when qualifications and performance are solid. It emphasizes that the barrier is not about capability but about structural or cultural factors within the organization. Glass walls isn’t the standard term for this phenomenon and tends to refer to confinement within a particular department or area, rather than blocking upward mobility. Role restriction and career trap aren’t established terms used to describe this specific dynamic, so they don’t convey the same, widely understood meaning.