The Perceived Glass Ceiling and Intention to Stay: An Empirical Study on Female Employees

Abstract

Women are usually considered as underrepresented in all positions whether it be politics or business, and academics field has no exception in this regard. Using data on careers of distance learning institutes in Pakistan, we have studied gender differences regarding the decision to stay at university positions. This study investigates the glass-ceiling as a barrier to women advancement in distance learning educational institutes and how much they are motivated to stay in their organizations. An already developed questionnaire for glass ceiling and intention to stay were used for collecting the data from 250 female employees. SPSS-24 is used for data analysis. The findings witnessed that females working in distance learning institutes face a glass ceiling to some extent in their respective organizations which prevents them in promotion to senior level positions. Results indicate that 68% female employee believe that glass celling effect is existed in their organizations. This study claimed that glass ceiling has a negative impact on intention to stay in the organization. The study concluded that organizations in masculine culture/society like Pakistan face lower intention of female employees to stay in organizations due to the glass ceiling barriers. The report provides recommendations for creating a work-place environment through more progressing developmental policies.