Germany: Families Minister wants sanctions on companies failing to set female management board targets without valid justification

On 22 January 2020 the DIW Berlin (The German Institute for Economic Research) published its latest ‘Female Manager Barometer’ survey that revealed the proportion of women on the management and supervisory boards of Germany’s big companies had risen slightly in 2019. However in spite of the progress, the level of female representation at the company board level remains derisory, remarked the DIW. In a similar vein the German Families Minister (SPD) Franziska Giffey intends to harden the tone and announced in an interview on Sunday 19 January her willingness to impose ‘heavy fines’ on companies without targets for female management board representation and without presenting valid grounds as intended by law. Draft legislation on sanctions is currently being prepared, she warned.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

Progress being made. Roughly a month after Christmas the DIW Berlin publishes its annual ‘Female Manager Barometer’ survey (in German) that examines changes in female participation at the management table of Germany’s top 500 companies. The DIW noted some progress has been made but nonetheless retained a cautious tone. Progress has been made in the private sector in terms of gender equality at management level, some of which has been of real substance, such as for example the nomination of the

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Catherine Chavanier (CDC Habitat): “Social dialogue on AI facilitates its deployment”
In February, CDC Habitat (10,500 employees) signed a two-year framework agreement governing social dialogue on AI. Catherine Chavanier, HR Director of the subsidiary of CDC (Caisse des dépôts et...
EU: Council adopts position on simplifying AI rules
The Council of the EU approved its position on 13 March regarding the “omnibus regulation” proposal, published last November by the Commission to simplify the AI Act. Confirming the...
20 March 2026
Germany: menopause issues finally gain corporate recognition
With 12 million women over 40 in the labour force, German companies and occupational health professionals are beginning to adopt support policies for those affected by menopause-related issues...
Greece: hospitality sector signs first collective agreement aligned with National Social Pact
The hospitality sector (125,000 employees), one of Greece’s largest industries after retail, signed a new two-year collective agreement on 17 March. The text, effective from 1 April 2026...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
France: government submits draft on pay transparency
On 6 March, the French government sent social partners a draft bill to transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive. The text provides details on the implementation timetable, corporate...
9 March 2026
2
Spain: report proposes democratising employee participation
On 2 February, Spanish labour minister Yolanda Diaz presented the conclusions of a report on democracy in the workplace. The document, which calls for employees to be given a say in...
25 February 2026
3
Italy: Deliveroo and Glovo targeted by justice over courier working conditions
The Milan Public Prosecutor's Office has ordered two of Italy's leading food delivery platforms, Foodinho (Glovo) and Deliveroo, to be placed under judicial administration. According to...
9 March 2026
4
Germany: menopause issues finally gain corporate recognition
With 12 million women over 40 in the labour force, German companies and occupational health professionals are beginning to adopt support policies for those affected by menopause-related issues...
5
Valérie Decaux (La Poste): “Our older workers policy is based on individualisation to move beyond age-related-stigmatisation”
La Poste Group (nearly 200,000 employees in France) unveiled its first senior employment agreement in late February. The text outlines measures for early retirement assistance, workplace...
6
Sweden: government delays transposition of Pay Transparency Directive
On 11 March, the Swedish government announced it is postponing the transposition of the Pay Transparency Directive. Having originally targeted an entry into force on 1 July 2026, it has conceded a...