Our thanks to James for this piece in The Guardian. An extract:
“The benefits of gender diversity are highlighted in the report, including better financial performance, [J4MB: Rubbish. Evidence shows there to be a causal link between more gender diversity on boards, and corporate financial DECLINE] reduced groupthink and more open discussions, and more chatting about personal matters in boardrooms” said Nicky Morgan, the Conservative MP and Treasury select committee chair. [J4MB: We may have added a few words there.]
“The next step must be for firms to set out how they will abolish their gender pay gap and support the progression of women. [J4MB: Passive-aggressive, or what? You could replace “progression of women” with “lack of progression of men”.] Firms should focus on changing the culture in financial services firms, which remains a deterrent for women, especially the bonus culture.”
The 51-page report – which includes insight from senior industry figures including Anne Richards, chief executive of fund manager M&G Investments, and Virgin Money chief Jayne-Anne Gadhia – also calls on senior men to tackle the stigma associated with flexible working, which is perceived as a “female” approach and can knock career progression. [J4MB: It’s “perceived” as a “female” approach because it IS. Men who adopt it can also expect it to “knock” career progression.]
Senior men are being urged to “lead by example” by working flexibly [J4MB translation: working less hard, i.e. not competing] themselves, helping displace a culture of presenteeism where staff work unnecessarily long hours in the office.
