Gender balance in management positions

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to argue that there is a need for a European Union directive on gender quotas among non-executive directors of companies listed on the stock exchange and employing at least 250 people. The first part of the paper presents the current data that show the proportion of female managers at different levels of organisations. The data come from two surveys conducted in 2012 in Polish organs of government administration and in a state-owned enterprise Lasy Pan´ stwowe (National Forests). The results indicate that women occupy 20% of top management positions in central administration (ministers, deputy ministers, ambassadors or CEOs), while their employment is at the level of 62%. In Lasy Pan´ stwowe women in top management positions account for only 7%, while they share in employment is 24%. Women are also less likely to be appointed to executive positions than men.