http://www.volkskrant.nl/economie/article1..._in_bedrijfstop
A majority of MPs from the CDA, PVDA and VVD want to introduce legislation that would make it mandatory for businesses to have at least 30% in top management positions. Those that fail to meet this target would have to submit an "improvement plan". The plan will be presented to parliament today. The proposal concerns positions on the two boards of directors of Dutch companies with more than 250 employees.
Erasmus studies show that the support for diversity in management is limited to "more words, but little action". Of the 116 new appointments by listed companies only 14 went to women. Two thirds of the 107 companies had no female board member at all. Out of 812 top positions, only 7 per cent were held by women. "This is a provisional measure to help break through the old boys network", emphasised MP Frans Weekers.
Full Version: MPs want 30% of top corporate positions to go to women
I admit to having mixed feelings about this.
On the one hand I think diversity in the board room will probably help to fix part of this mess of corruption, however corruption knows no boundaries like gender or background.
On the other hand you can't force someone into a position just because they "fit the quota" I'm sure the same argument was used when lower-tier positions were affected by trying to force racial diversity.
but the reality is that this begins at the bottom.
Change the ideas in the schools that limit girls. Stop teachers from telling girls they are not wired to run businesses, etc, that they are too dumb for science and all that bullshit.
so like I said, I have mixed feelings.
On the one hand I think diversity in the board room will probably help to fix part of this mess of corruption, however corruption knows no boundaries like gender or background.
On the other hand you can't force someone into a position just because they "fit the quota" I'm sure the same argument was used when lower-tier positions were affected by trying to force racial diversity.
but the reality is that this begins at the bottom.
Change the ideas in the schools that limit girls. Stop teachers from telling girls they are not wired to run businesses, etc, that they are too dumb for science and all that bullshit.
so like I said, I have mixed feelings.
I agree, I think its a real shame that so few women are at the top. But i am not sure this is the answer. If women aren't getting these jobs simply because they are women-fine. But there are a lot of other variables to consider. The jobs should go to the most qualfied-period.
QUOTE (utakubeta @ Oct 26 2009, 12:52 PM) 
I admit to having mixed feelings about this.
On the one hand I think diversity in the board room will probably help to fix part of this mess of corruption, however corruption knows no boundaries like gender or background.
On the other hand you can't force someone into a position just because they "fit the quota" I'm sure the same argument was used when lower-tier positions were affected by trying to force racial diversity.
but the reality is that this begins at the bottom.
Change the ideas in the schools that limit girls. Stop teachers from telling girls they are not wired to run businesses, etc, that they are too dumb for science and all that bullshit.
so like I said, I have mixed feelings.
On the one hand I think diversity in the board room will probably help to fix part of this mess of corruption, however corruption knows no boundaries like gender or background.
On the other hand you can't force someone into a position just because they "fit the quota" I'm sure the same argument was used when lower-tier positions were affected by trying to force racial diversity.
but the reality is that this begins at the bottom.
Change the ideas in the schools that limit girls. Stop teachers from telling girls they are not wired to run businesses, etc, that they are too dumb for science and all that bullshit.
so like I said, I have mixed feelings.
QUOTE (stone @ Oct 26 2009, 09:55 AM)
http://www.volkskrant.nl/economie/article1..._in_bedrijfstop
A majority of MPs from the CDA, PVDA and VVD want to introduce legislation that would make it mandatory for businesses to have at least 30% in top management positions. Those that fail to meet this target would have to submit an "improvement plan". The plan will be presented to parliament today. The proposal concerns positions on the two boards of directors of Dutch companies with more than 250 employees.
Erasmus studies show that the support for diversity in management is limited to "more words, but little action". Of the 116 new appointments by listed companies only 14 went to women. Two thirds of the 107 companies had no female board member at all. Out of 812 top positions, only 7 per cent were held by women. "This is a provisional measure to help break through the old boys network", emphasised MP Frans Weekers.
A majority of MPs from the CDA, PVDA and VVD want to introduce legislation that would make it mandatory for businesses to have at least 30% in top management positions. Those that fail to meet this target would have to submit an "improvement plan". The plan will be presented to parliament today. The proposal concerns positions on the two boards of directors of Dutch companies with more than 250 employees.
Erasmus studies show that the support for diversity in management is limited to "more words, but little action". Of the 116 new appointments by listed companies only 14 went to women. Two thirds of the 107 companies had no female board member at all. Out of 812 top positions, only 7 per cent were held by women. "This is a provisional measure to help break through the old boys network", emphasised MP Frans Weekers.
My undersatnding is that Shell already has this kind of policy in place.
Although I would really like to see more women in top management positions here, I think it is going to be hard to legislate, and may actually hurt the cause of women.
The simple fact is that most women work part-time in the Netherlands. 75% of all women working in the Netherlands hold part-time jobs. This is not only women with young children, but all women -- 62% of working age women do not have young children.
The average number of weekly working hours for women is currently 17 hours. It's pretty tough to hold an executive position with such a low amount of working hours.
Part-time working in the Netherlands
Female part-time work in the Netherlands
Prevalence of part-time work impedes women’s career path
The Netherlands Champion in Part-time Work
The simple fact is that most women work part-time in the Netherlands. 75% of all women working in the Netherlands hold part-time jobs. This is not only women with young children, but all women -- 62% of working age women do not have young children.
The average number of weekly working hours for women is currently 17 hours. It's pretty tough to hold an executive position with such a low amount of working hours.
Part-time working in the Netherlands
Female part-time work in the Netherlands
Prevalence of part-time work impedes women’s career path
The Netherlands Champion in Part-time Work
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