Just when it seemed people were forgetting about the glass ceiling, it turns out it's much lower than many had believed.
The wage gap between most women and men managers actually widened during the economic boom years of 1995 to 2000, according to a study to be released Thursday.
Women in top jobs are in a worse position than they were five years ago in terms of advancement and pay in seven of the 10 industries that employ 71 percent of women workers, the data found.
"A New Look Through the Glass Ceiling: Where are the Women?" was done by the General Accounting Office using data from the Current Population Survey, and was requested by Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.) and Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.), who both said they were surprised by the lost ground.
"This shows a slide backwards for women," said Maloney at a lunch with reporters and editors. "I really did believe it would be easier for our daughters."
A full-time female communications manager made 86 cents for every dollar a male made in her industry in 1995, for example. But in 2000, she only made 73 cents on the man's dollar.
The data also found that in just five of the 10 industries examined are the number of women managers proportionate to the number of women in the workforce.
Women also find it more difficult to balance family and career, according to the study. About 60 percent of married women managers do not have children currently at home. By contrast, 60 percent of married men are currently raising children. Maloney said this is a financial issue that impacts all families.
"It's a wake-up call not only for corporate America but all of America," she said.
Martha Burk, chair of the National Council of Women Organizations in Washington, said she blames the backlash on a more relaxed regulatory environment and a complicated court system that does not encourage women to sue their corporations for discrimination. "When you know no one is monitoring the speed limit, you can speed," she said.
Dingell and Maloney said the study brings up many questions that may be addressed by regulations or legislation in the future, including an examination of maternity leave policies and a fresh look at the Equal Rights Amendment.