Horizontal Hostility: A Subset of Glass Ceiling

Abstract

The present paper aims to describe the concepts of horizontal hostility and its association with glass ceiling for working females. Many females when they want to succeed in their career do not want other females to progress in their career. Horizontal hostility is a type of indirect aggression directed by females toward other females because of professional jealousy and feelings of low self-esteem. Glass ceiling is described as an unseen obstacle prohibiting females from advancing to the high rank positions within an organization even with achievements or credentials. Gender discrimination at workplace negatively impacts psychological health of females and results in stress, anxiety and depression. This paper provides logical arguments from literature and describes glass ceiling as the main cause of horizontal hostility within organizations. The need is to establish a legislative framework to protect females against discriminatory practices and to provide them equal career progression opportunities within organizations.