[UK] Third of Board Members Now Women

In a government press release on the 8th of February 2020, the Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said it was “fantastic work” that a third of all board positions in the UK’s FTSE (Financial Times Stock Exchange) 100 companies are now held by women.

The release says that a key government target has been reached “on an entirely voluntary basis, without the need for legislation, fines or penalties”.  But the release is somewhat confusing as it refers readers to the government-backed Hampton-Alexander Review which refers largely to the number of women in senior leadership positions and on the boards of FTSE 350 companies.

Global Payroll Association Comment

Regardless of whether the figures directly relate to the review’s intention, we agree with the Business Secretary that this is a fantastic achievement.  But we also agree with her statement that more needs to be done to stop women facing everyday sexism in the workplace.

Therefore we are looking forward to the progress of the Employment Bill that seeks to better support women in the workplace, with measures including enhanced protections from pregnancy and maternity discrimination and, subject to consultation, making flexible working the default.  This was announced in the Queen’s Speech on the 19th of December 2019.

In a government press release on the 8th of February 2020, the Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said it was “fantastic work” that a third of all board positions in the UK’s FTSE (Financial Times Stock Exchange) 100 companies are now held by women.

The release says that a key government target has been reached “on an entirely voluntary basis, without the need for legislation, fines or penalties”.  But the release is somewhat confusing as it refers readers to the government-backed Hampton-Alexander Review which refers largely to the number of women in senior leadership positions and on the boards of FTSE 350 companies.

Global Payroll Association Comment

Regardless of whether the figures directly relate to the review’s intention, we agree with the Business Secretary that this is a fantastic achievement.  But we also agree with her statement that more needs to be done to stop women facing everyday sexism in the workplace.

Therefore we are looking forward to the progress of the Employment Bill that seeks to better support women in the workplace, with measures including enhanced protections from pregnancy and maternity discrimination and, subject to consultation, making flexible working the default.  This was announced in the Queen’s Speech on the 19th of December 2019.