Glass Ceilings Read Online Free

‘whole package’ Verity had presented.
    Although she was young as far as executives went, she was also obviously capable and highly intelligent. She had proven herself worthy of promotion, but he still had some niggling doubts....
    With an effort, Travis focused his attention on the matter at hand.
     
    For the second time that day, Verity found herself sitting outside the door to Clyde’s office. It occurred to her that this would be the new CEO’s inner sanctum, and she took a sharp intake of breath. Suddenly, the intercom on Kerry’s desk squawked and Verity suppressed a startled jump. It felt like all the excitement had super-charged her nervous system. She was buzzing.
    Kerry pressed the intercom button and listened for a second, before turning an impassive face to Verity and saying, ‘Please go in, Miss Parker.’
    Verity made herself rise casually. She took a second to smooth her suit, taking a deep breath to settle herself, and walked with outward calm into the office. Her step only faltered when she saw Royce sitting with the other two men.
    Clyde and Travis smiled their greetings and Clyde indicated the vacant chair beside his. As she eased herself into it, Verity risked a sideways glance at Royce. For the briefest moment, she glimpsed traces of disbelief and disappointment on his face, until a shutter came down and his expression became unreadable. But she knew he’d be reeling at the knowledge he’d been beaten to a position that he, and everyone else, had assumed he could simply reach out and take.
    With a swift turn of his head, Royce fixed cold eyes on her and mumbled a greeting.
    Verity shrank inwardly from the barely masked dislike on his face, but immediately felt anger coming to her aid. Her eyes flashed and she felt like saying, hey buddy, don’t vent your spleen on me. It was their decision, and who said you had sole rights to the job anyway?
    Sensing the unspoken tension between the rivals, Clyde went on to say, ‘Royce, you deserve further explanation as to why your excellent application was not successful.’ He glanced at Verity and then at Royce. ‘Verity should be aware of this too, that’s why we asked her to join us.’ He passed Royce a copy of a very official-looking document. ‘This report was presented to the Federal Government in April.’
    Verity read the title on the front cover, ‘Enterprising Nation’.
    Clyde sat back and threaded his fingers together over his ample and, to his dismay, growing ampler, waistline. ‘It highlights that the future competitiveness of Australia’s commercial sector is at risk because of a thickening “glass ceiling”. This isn’t a new concept, we’ve all heard the term before, but now it’s officially regarded as a serious issue.’ He pointed at the document in Royce’s hand. ‘This provides case studies and statistical data on the under-utilisation of the skills and talents of women in senior levels of business management, and concludes by recommending all progressive companies take steps to manage the risk.’ Clyde frowned. ‘Unfortunately, some of the questionable corporate behaviours and cultures showcased in the report, are also evident at RCL.’
    Royce passed the report to Verity without looking at her. He was staring at Clyde with a mixture of annoyance and scepticism. ‘I don’t see the relevance of that report to this meeting? And since when has RCL been bothered by these types of issues?’
    Verity was horrified when an involuntary snort escaped her. She hurriedly lowered her eyes, fixing them on the report in her hand, and cleared her throat to try to cover her indiscretion. She cringed inwardly, certain the others would have heard, but their faces gave no sign. In fact, she had the distinct impression Royce had decided to ignore her completely, for which she was actually grateful. Travis’ carefully averted face made her wonder though. Was it possible he was hiding a grin?
    Clyde carried on undeterred. ‘Since when?