Editor's Blog0 min ago
Quotas of women being awarded a place on the board of companies.
On the news this morning it was suggested there should be a legal quota of women sitting on boards - apparently Sweden does this.
This is bananas isn't it?
Surely it should be on merit and merit alone, shouldn't it?
This is bananas isn't it?
Surely it should be on merit and merit alone, shouldn't it?
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I think the quota is daft, it should be on merit. We had the same argument years back about the "black quota", I remember companies in America having to take on coloured applicants just to keep up their quotas, irrespective ofother applicants (and this is no disrespect to our non-white friends on here).
It's interesting in my employer (the NHS) - nearly all the Board and CEOs are women, the men only seem to slot in with roles like Finance. Our CEO is a fabulous woman, brilliant leader.
It's interesting in my employer (the NHS) - nearly all the Board and CEOs are women, the men only seem to slot in with roles like Finance. Our CEO is a fabulous woman, brilliant leader.
Agree it should be on merit alone, regardless of gender, colour or any other differentiating factors.
Must admit though in my dealing with various call-centres I have always found Male operatives more helpful, knowledgeable, and polite, than the Female variety.
Why this is, perhaps someone could enlighten me?
Must admit though in my dealing with various call-centres I have always found Male operatives more helpful, knowledgeable, and polite, than the Female variety.
Why this is, perhaps someone could enlighten me?
Absolutely agree it should be on merit alone. And this should be the same with disabilities and ethnic minorities as well. May the best man/woman win.
And AOG. I completely disagree with you about call centre staff. There is no difference. Most of them are polite and nice - a few, both male and female are not. Same as in any walk of life.
And AOG. I completely disagree with you about call centre staff. There is no difference. Most of them are polite and nice - a few, both male and female are not. Same as in any walk of life.
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There's a common word being used here, 'should'. All promotions should be on merit, but can any of us say for sure that all board promotions ARE on merit.
Other considerations that should be taken into account is that women, for whatever reason, are more likely to take career breaks to raise children. Even the most able board member will be regarded as 'a mother', with all that implies whereas men are not treated as 'fathers'.
Quotas are dodgy because they promote resentment, however, exactly the same resentment exists amongst the very able women who hit the glass ceiling and who aren't allowed into the 'men's club'.
One point - has anyone noticed the one area of business life where women do significantly better than men - and that's in Human Resources?
Other considerations that should be taken into account is that women, for whatever reason, are more likely to take career breaks to raise children. Even the most able board member will be regarded as 'a mother', with all that implies whereas men are not treated as 'fathers'.
Quotas are dodgy because they promote resentment, however, exactly the same resentment exists amongst the very able women who hit the glass ceiling and who aren't allowed into the 'men's club'.
One point - has anyone noticed the one area of business life where women do significantly better than men - and that's in Human Resources?
re: call centre (wait for it...racist generalisation coming up) - the best call centre staff are the Scots.
They are ALWAYS polite, friendly and helpful. Also, when I'm talking to someone from my bank or credit card company, I prefer that they have a Scottish accent, because I trust Scottish people, especially women, to look after my money wisely.
There ya go - racism, sexism and a touch of patronisation all in one post.
Fill yer boots.
They are ALWAYS polite, friendly and helpful. Also, when I'm talking to someone from my bank or credit card company, I prefer that they have a Scottish accent, because I trust Scottish people, especially women, to look after my money wisely.
There ya go - racism, sexism and a touch of patronisation all in one post.
Fill yer boots.
LoftyLottie
/// And AOG. I completely disagree with you about call centre staff. ///
Of course that is your prerogative, but you then go on to state.
/// There is no difference. Most of them are polite and nice. ///
Surely you should have stated that this was is your opinion and experience.
I have found your 'no difference' comment, not to be the case in my own dealings with them.
/// And AOG. I completely disagree with you about call centre staff. ///
Of course that is your prerogative, but you then go on to state.
/// There is no difference. Most of them are polite and nice. ///
Surely you should have stated that this was is your opinion and experience.
I have found your 'no difference' comment, not to be the case in my own dealings with them.
sp1814
Or translation difficulties, especially if they have broad Glaswegian accents.
But then the same could be said for call centres in 'Geordie' land and India.
I do not wish to be offensive SP, but on conducting a web search so as to come up with an example of Glaswegian dialect, I came across this poem, and knowing you to be a gay man, I thought you may be interested.
Entitled, 'A Gay's a Man for A' That', (bottom of the page):
http://glaswegian.info/
I can't make 'heads nor tails' of it.
Or translation difficulties, especially if they have broad Glaswegian accents.
But then the same could be said for call centres in 'Geordie' land and India.
I do not wish to be offensive SP, but on conducting a web search so as to come up with an example of Glaswegian dialect, I came across this poem, and knowing you to be a gay man, I thought you may be interested.
Entitled, 'A Gay's a Man for A' That', (bottom of the page):
http://glaswegian.info/
I can't make 'heads nor tails' of it.
Quota's never work. It is not going to happen over night, more women need to be available for boards to pick the ones capable rather than be forced into an unsuitable candidate that suits neother the company or the individual.
It will happen, but eduacation and persuasion are the key not quota's. I suspect it will accelerate once a) more women have been in work for lenghty periods and b) the old gits in the board room have been pensioned off.
It will happen, but eduacation and persuasion are the key not quota's. I suspect it will accelerate once a) more women have been in work for lenghty periods and b) the old gits in the board room have been pensioned off.
08 Feb 2012
/// The Prime Minister is attending a summit in Stockholm to learn from countries such as Norway and Iceland, which have successfully introduced quotas to increase the number of women in
boardrooms. ///
Perhaps he should be learning from other countries, much more important and beneficial things to implement for the British people?
But it seems he has his Lib/Dem hat on once again, so what else can one expect?
This according to Helena Morrisey, founder of the 30pc Club, which promotes gender equality.
http://www.telegraph....-patronise-women.html
Theresa May, Minister for Women and Equality, said "she never wanted to get anywhere because she was part of a quota" and she warned the Government should not force businesses to have more women in boardrooms.
/// The Prime Minister is attending a summit in Stockholm to learn from countries such as Norway and Iceland, which have successfully introduced quotas to increase the number of women in
boardrooms. ///
Perhaps he should be learning from other countries, much more important and beneficial things to implement for the British people?
But it seems he has his Lib/Dem hat on once again, so what else can one expect?
This according to Helena Morrisey, founder of the 30pc Club, which promotes gender equality.
http://www.telegraph....-patronise-women.html
Theresa May, Minister for Women and Equality, said "she never wanted to get anywhere because she was part of a quota" and she warned the Government should not force businesses to have more women in boardrooms.
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