“Anyone interested in the thorny issue of social mobility—or, more broadly, in its stubborn ally, poverty—must read this book. It is an indispensable guide that shows us how to finally accomplish one of the great missions of our time—and of every age.” —Amol Rajan, journalist and broadcaster

“You may have long suspected that class has not truly disappeared, but this outstanding, thoroughly researched work brings it back to life as a vivid economic, social, and political category. The authors introduce a new, universally applicable system of class classification, trace its origins, and make the case for this emerging reality and its attendant ills beyond dispute. At the same time, they propose a bold set of public policies and private actions to challenge class itself. This is a foundational work for our turbulent era.” —Will Hutton, President of the Academy of Social Sciences

“This book explores the reproduction of elites through a compelling transnational lens, illuminates global inequality, and points the way toward change.” —Lauren Rivera, Kellogg School of Management

“A deep diagnosis of the hidden class rules that stifle talent, coupled with a genuinely actionable blueprint for businesses to dismantle them.” —Ian Walsh, Sutton Trust

“A thorough analysis of the hidden class rules that hold talent back, along with practical solutions for businesses to unlock that potential.” —Ian Walsh, former Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group and Chair of the Sutton Trust

“This book powerfully exposes the systemic barriers to career advancement, challenges the myth of meritocracy, and offers globally relevant, evidence-based insights. It is essential reading for anyone committed to advancing social mobility.” —Sarah Atkinson, Social Mobility Foundation

★ Written under the authoritative leadership of the UK’s first Professor of Social Mobility, this book completely rejects empty, ineffective slogans and preaching. Seamlessly blending extensive primary research data with real-world corporate case studies, it delves deep into how class bias is subtly “embedded” within companies’ hiring and promotion systems. This is not merely an academic correction of misconceptions; it also provides a highly practical mental roadmap for modern professionals trapped in career dead ends.
★ Many organizations loudly proclaim their commitment to meritocracy, yet behind the scenes, unspoken rules of a “game of opportunity” have long been quietly at play. Invisible “class codes”—from speech and demeanor to social networks and the implicit prestige of one’s alma mater—continue to covertly monopolize promotion pathways. This book sharply dissects how these hidden barriers operate with ruthless precision, delivering lines that hit home and resonate deeply, while boasting strong potential to break into broader markets.
★ Transforming incisive critique into a concrete action guide, this book equips business leaders with strategies to redesign selection processes and dismantle class barriers once and for all. For organizations eager to attract diverse, high-caliber talent from across social strata, it serves as a tailor-made playbook for top-level transformation.

It reveals the class markers that exist within the world’s most powerful companies and outlines practical steps for leading employers to dismantle class barriers.
It is widely believed that, in modern meritocratic societies, class has been relegated to the past. However, in the world’s major economies, access to the elite remains governed by an unwritten and largely invisible set of workplace class rules—ranging from modes of speech and social etiquette to unspoken cultural norms and the confidence to advocate for oneself in highly competitive environments—rules that are passed down through generations.
In this groundbreaking global study, Lee Elliott Major and Anne-Marie Slaughter expose the class barriers within the world’s most influential organizations, showing how these barriers are linked to a broader class system centered on a small elite while relegating others to the margins. They propose ten concrete steps for leading employers to break down these class barriers and urgently call for the creation of a fairer system that gives everyone the opportunity to lead a decent life, regardless of the path they choose.

Lee Elliot Major
The UK’s first Professor of Social Mobility, based at the University of Exeter. He previously served as Chief Executive of the Sutton Trust, the UK’s leading foundation dedicated to social mobility. As a leading voice in education debates both domestically and internationally, he advises business, government, and educational leaders around the world. His award-winning works include “Educational Equality” and “Social Mobility and Its Enemies.” He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and was awarded an OBE by the Queen in 2019.

Anne-Marie Szymanski
Co-founder and Director of the South West Social Mobility Commission at the University of Exeter. She formerly worked as a strategy consultant at the Boston Consulting Group, serving leading UK and global companies. She holds a PhD and an MSc in Anthropology from the University of Oxford, as well as a BA in Economics and Management.

1. Introduction: Cracking Code

Part One: The Course
2. The Demise (and Rebirth) of Class
3. The World-Transcending Elite

Part Two: The Elite Squad
4. The High-End Replicator
5. The Mighty Forces of the Global Elite System
6. Corporate Division of Labor

Part Three: Category Codes
7. Your Appearance
8. Your Way of Speaking
9. Your Play Style
10. Your Behavioral Patterns

Part Four: Building a Fairer System of Opportunity

11. Resetting the Rules
12. New Opportunities