A bill to address the underrepresentation of women in public and private sector management roles was presented to parliament on 5 Mar 2021. It would strengthen a 2015 law that established a voluntary 30% female quota for supervisory board members. 

For the first time, listed companies with executive boards comprising three or more members would have to appoint at least one male and one female board member. Companies also would have to report on the number of women in management roles and appointed to their supervisory and executive boards. Companies without at least one female member on their supervisory boards would have to provide an explanation. Additionally, stronger sanctions would apply to violations of the reporting requirements. 
 

A recent study of the 30 largest companies on the German stock index reported that women comprise 12.8% of management board members.
 

Related resource

• Bill to improve women’s representation on company boards (German) (German parliament, 5 Mar 2021)

by Rudolf Glekler
Associate, Mercer Career

by Fiona Webster
Principal, Mercer’s Law & Policy Group

by Stephanie Rosseau
Principal, Mercer’s Law & Policy Group