Gray ceiling

The gray ceiling is a business/societal phenomenon where the existing workforce of those born during the baby boom era prevents the younger generations of Generation X and Millennials^[1] from advancing or being promoted at their jobs.

The gray ceiling phenomenon is named after the better-known glass ceiling and is largely an unintentional consequence of demographics,^[1] though another factor is Boomers retiring later,^[2] due in part to the Great Recession having depleted their retirement savings.^[3] By sheer number they are also competing within their own generation and their children who are joining the workforce.^[4]

As the children of the baby boomers advance from below, the Gen-Xers, usually with middle management jobs, feel threatened and trapped in a job that is going nowhere and might be given away to the next younger candidate.^{[citation needed]} Negative consequences of the gray ceiling include slowed innovation.^[5]