ˌglass ˈceiling noun [singular]
the attitudes and practices that prevent women or particular groups from getting high-level jobs, even though there are no actual laws or rules to stop them:
Goodhue shattered the glass ceiling as the first female publisher at Time Inc.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

a glass ceiling
the opinions of people in a company which prevent women from getting such important positions as men.
The problem for women in broadcasting is the glass ceiling. Women rise but not to the top.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲