After years of dispute, the way has been cleared in the European Union for binding gender quotas for management positions in listed companies.
At least one in three seats on the supervisory boards of listed companies in the EU is to be filled by a woman in the future. After around ten years of negotiations, most EU member states have now agreed to introduce a corresponding quota.
The plan sets a deadline of the end of 2027. After that, listed companies must take steps to allocate 40 percent of supervisory board positions or 33 percent of management board and supervisory board positions to the respective underrepresented gender. Strictly speaking, this is a gender quota intended to guarantee a minimum proportion of the underrepresented gender. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen put the legislative proposal, which failed 10 years ago, back on the agenda. The Commission had proposed the EU-wide gender quota back in 2012. The project, however, was blocked for years by Germany. For the quotas to come into force across Europe, the European Council still has to reach an agreement with the European Parliament on the specifics.
In Europe, Norway is a pioneer in the introduction of quotas for women on supervisory boards. A quota of 40 percent was adopted as early as 2006, followed by Spain in 2007. France has also had a corresponding law in place since 2011. Other countries do not have a fixed quota, but do have recommendations for gender diversity, such as Sweden and Denmark. It turns out that people like to surround themselves with people who are like them in terms of age, gender and origin. For this very reason, women are often left behind, even if they are at least as well qualified as their male colleagues. There are many reasons, not only from a social but also from a business perspective, to focus on a diversified workforce and management structure.
However, the decisive factor when it comes to quotas is not just meeting a quota but making a real change. The fact that the proportion of women has risen significantly faster in countries that have introduced statutory measures than in those that have relied on voluntary corporate compliance speaks in favor of the necessary introduction of a quota.
But one thing is also certain: "Real change" cannot be decreed by law but can only be successfully shaped by a convinced management and motivated employees.
Beceptum not only meets the required women's quota in its team but exceeds it in its leadership and team. We are passionate about building the best possible team regardless of gender, age or background. Clients who come from diverse backgrounds, intellectually as well as professionally, have the need to be accompanied and supported by an equally diverse team. At Beceptum, we offer you this highly qualified team, which has a broad spectrum of knowledge, to achieve visible successes together with you and to follow new, thought-provoking paths along the daily business field.
