Final answer:
The glass ceiling is an invisible barrier preventing women from advancing to higher levels in organizations due to discrimination. Stereotypes and a lack of mentorship exacerbate this issue, although laws and commissions like the EEOC work against hiring discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The invisible barrier based on prejudicial beliefs that underlie organizational decisions, which prevent women from moving beyond certain levels within a company, is known as the glass ceiling.
The glass ceiling is a form of discrimination that hinders women from advancing to the highest positions in organizations, such as corporations, governments, and academic institutions.
Despite legal and ethical mandates for equity, societal patterns of discrimination persist, typified by traditional gender roles and exacerbated for women from underrepresented groups.
The glass ceiling is also influenced by stereotypes, such as the belief that women are not aggressive enough for top executive positions, and may be further reinforced by a lack of mentorship opportunities for women aiming for leadership roles.
To address this disparity, various laws are in place to prevent hiring based on discriminatory criteria, and entities like the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) strive to combat such hiring discrimination.