Rationale: Identifying people for board appointments or to fill vacancies is often done through existing personal and professional networks. There is also a view that because vacancies are publicised openly, there should be no need to specifically promote them to women, even where there is a gender imbalance on a board. A number of organisations external to government are required to nominate members to specific boards and committees under legislative provisions. These and other organisations, including industry representative bodies or professional associations, may also be invited to nominate members for vacancies where it is appropriate and prudent to do so. A review of board appointments over recent years shows that about one third of nominations from external organisations are women. This helps to perpetuate the status quo in terms of the number of women board members. The current processes used to appoint board members are not increasing the number of women being appointed to boards. Actions 2a) Strengthening and promoting the Tasmanian Women’s Register Board vacancies will continue to be promoted through the Tasmanian Women’s Register and through women’s networks. The Government will take proactive steps to increase the number of women on the Tasmanian Women’s Register, particularly those who work in non-traditional professions and industries, through promotion to professional bodies and industries. With approval of those registered, selected information will be provided routinely to Government Business Enterprises and State Owned Companies for consideration as part of their board recruitment process. The Tasmanian Women’s Register will be promoted by government agencies when they promote board vacancies online. 2b) Online promotion of board vacancies All government agencies will promote upcoming board vacancies and the Tasmanian Women’s Register on their websites and through social media where available (eg Facebook, LinkedIn). Board vacancies will be promoted on government websites and social media that target women. The Government will work towards promoting board vacancies on the Tasmanian Government Jobs website. 2c) Appointments to Government Business Enterprises and State Owned Companies
Rationale: Identifying people for board appointments or to fill vacancies is often done through existing personal and professional networks. There is also a view that because vacancies are publicised openly, there should be no need to specifically promote them to women, even where there is a gender imbalance on a board. A number of organisations external to government are required to nominate members to specific boards and committees under legislative provisions. These and other organisations, including industry representative bodies or professional associations, may also be invited to nominate members for vacancies where it is appropriate and prudent to do so. A review of board appointments over recent years shows that about one third of nominations from external organisations are women. This helps to perpetuate the status quo in terms of the number of women board members. The current processes used to appoint board members are not increasing the number of women being appointed to boards. Actions 2a) Strengthening and promoting the Tasmanian Women’s Register Board vacancies will continue to be promoted through the Tasmanian Women’s Register and through women’s networks. The Government will take proactive steps to increase the number of women on the Tasmanian Women’s Register, particularly those who work in non-traditional professions and industries, through promotion to professional bodies and industries. With approval of those registered, selected information will be provided routinely to Government Business Enterprises and State Owned Companies for consideration as part of their board recruitment process. The Tasmanian Women’s Register will be promoted by government agencies when they promote board vacancies online. 2b) Online promotion of board vacancies All government agencies will promote upcoming board vacancies and the Tasmanian Women’s Register on their websites and through social media where available (eg Facebook, LinkedIn). Board vacancies will be promoted on government websites and social media that target women. The Government will work towards promoting board vacancies on the Tasmanian Government Jobs website. 2c) Appointments to Government Business Enterprises and State Owned Companies
Women_on_Boards_Strategy_2015-20_-_FINAL.DOCX