CALIFORNIA’S NEW BOARDROOM GENDER LAW – WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
In October, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a first-in-the-U.S. law mandating that state corporations meet boardroom gender diversity quotas by 2020. While the immediate impact of the new law is still contested, the November issue of online governance monthly Boardroom INSIDER explores some of the longer-range fallout.
BI publisher and governance speaker Ralph Ward writes that, while the legal status of the law is under debate (due to equal protection concerns and its extraterritorial impact), “most major organizations will likely shy away from leading a legal fight on this. Who wants to be identified as ‘against boardroom diversity’ in today’s #MeToo era?”
Ward also notes that relatively few California corporations will feel a direct impact from the law, but indirect fallout for corporate boards may be huge. “Big corporate chartering destinations like Delaware and New York will now face heavy pressure to pass their own laws on board gender quotas.” Also on the horizon — look for new board rules pushing back on recent increases in director tenure and average age, both of which “hobble the turnover and refreshment boards need to diversify.”
Other articles in the November issue include:
5 tools for better, smarter board reporting.
Shaping your nonprofit board director fundraising policy.
Battling audit committee time and workload demands.
Q&A: How a woman director can be ready for her first board meeting.
NOW ON AUDIOBOOK.
— Here’s why you have more “board experience” than you think (and why your current resume hides it).
— How women can jump the career obstacles they face into the boardroom.
— Finding your board search mentors and networks.
— How board searches really work (and how to turn flaws in the process to your advantage).
— Gaining the attention of board contacts and search firms.
— Prepping for a board interview… and for your first board meeting.
