“Glass Walls” and “Glass Elevator” A related problem is that women have tended to advance to staff areas, such as HR and corporate communications. Because executive jobs in these “supporting” areas tend to pay less than jobs in sales, marketing, operations, or fi nance, the overall impact is to reduce women’s career progression and income. Limits that keep women from progressing only in certain fi elds have been referred to as “glass walls” or “glass elevators.” These limitations are seen as tied to organizational, cultural, and leadership issues.senior management in a limited number of support or