Germany: large businesses refuse the government’s proposal to increase the proportion of executive women

Mrs. von der Leyen and Mrs. Schröder tried putting on a brave face after a meeting which should have led to a change of direction regarding the integration of women into the management of German businesses.  “We won’t have quotas, but DAX 30 companies are going to define objectives this year” Mrs. Schröder said.  Her colleague, Mrs. von der Leyen, talked about a meeting between “light and shadows” with results that aren’t “sufficiently concrete.”  She understands that DAX companies need more time, but the procedure will have to end one day.  Mrs. Schröder presented a proposal of flexible quotas with the free definition of objectives by the social partners in the companies by 2013, followed by an implementation period to gradually reach a stage of 30% of women at the head of businesses between 2018 and 2020 (see our dispatch No.  110083).  If businesses didn’t comply with these commitments, they could have been subject to light sanctions in the form of fines.  However, this plan didn’t have the fortuity of pleasing the businesses gathered: “We engaged in constructive dialogue but we didn’t confirm out commitment to this plan with stages” declared Harold Krüger, director of personnel at BMW.  The 30 directors of personnel of the DAX companies simply accepted to define their own objectives and regularly report on their progress to the Ministry.  “We’re not letting up” declared Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, Minister of Justice, who also attended.  She thinks it is now time to envision an Act.  This was also Mrs. von der Leyen’s idea in January.  However, lacking support among the majority, the Employment Minister abandoned her project.  So far, only two large businesses in Germany have defined figured objectives.  EON wants to double the proportion of female senior executives “in the coming years” (currently 11%).  More ambitious, Deutsche Telekom wants to reach 30% in 2015 (12.5% in 2010).