Rhonda Yocum
January 28, 2011
9:24 AM
Europe has finally taken note that they are behind the times. Europe’s work place has often been ahead of the United States in providing flexible time off after the arrival of a newborn, but lack in daycare and upward mobility. Siemens was the first company on the DAX 30 index of blue-chip German company to appoint women to the executive board. This raised the number of women in Seimens executive suite to 25 percent. That is almost triple the 8.5 percent average of German companies and twice the percentage among the European Union which averages 12 percent. The United States has roughly 40 percent of women working as managers in all private sectors.
Many women find their noses pressed firmly against the glass ceiling. Expansion of women in managerial positions has risen to almost half in the last 50 to 60 years. Men have set the rules and now realize that they need female talent to stay competitive due to the changing demographics and economy.
Getting women involved will take more than company day cares and flexible hours. Culture and traditions play a major role in making women feel uneasy. Women must want to be a part of senior level positions. This is going to take time it is all about changing culture and tradition. Men and women are both going to have to adjust to their new roles in society. This change is not coming easily. Many companies struggle to place women in top positions and have them remain. Norway, France, the Netherlands and Spain have all passed minimum quota laws for woman on supervisory boards. There are rumors that if companies do not volunteer to raise the percent of woman managers that the European Union will mandate a 30 percent board quota across the Union by 2015.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/world/europe/27iht-women27.html?_r=2
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