maternal wall

maternal wall
 n.— «Nationally, studies have documented what some researchers call “the maternal wall”: once working women let it be known that they are pregnant or have children, they are less likely to be hired, promoted, or given raises. They are penalized sooner for late arrivals or absences, and are fired faster.» —“What about problems of working mothers in your area?” by E.J. Graff in Harvard University Nieman Watchdog (Cambridge, Massachusetts) May 8, 2007. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)