Research suggests that it is not only women who face a so-called 'glass cliff' in employment, with a variety of minority groups also subject to the same pitfalls of roles with a greater risk of failure or criticism.
According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the glass cliff is applicable to a range of minority groups including disabled people, older workers, minority ethnic groups, returning parents, religious denominations and those with differing sexual orientation, for example.
This is in addition to women who traditionally have been thought to face a glass cliff when in high profile positions of responsibility.
In a survey of 212 employees from marginalised social groups it was found that more than 60 per cent were put in risky situations and positions without the necessary support in case of failure or difficulty.
CIPD adviser Dianah Worman argues that problems can occur when employers attempt to boost diversity arbitrarily without addressing cultural issues.
"Simply seeking to fix the numbers through targets, will not deliver lasting results in creating a more diverse workforce," she explained.
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