Interview
Based in Bonn, Dr Claudia Junker is general counsel of Deutsche Telekom. She discusses the gender diversity quota imposed on listed companies by the German government, as well as the economic drivers for diversity of all kinds.
Diversity and inclusion is a concept that is very strong within Deutsche Telekom. As early as 2010, the management board of Deutsche Telekom set a goal for 30% of the company’s management roles worldwide to be filled by women. After setting this target back in 2010, the proportion of women in the group has risen by more than 35% in all management positions. The supervisory board of Deutsche Telekom now already has a 40% women share.
Since the start of last year there has been a law in Germany that dictates a ‘fair share’ amongst both genders. Depending on the size and form of the company, a self-set quota for board positions and senior management positions is required. The law sets a 30% quota in supervisory boards of listed companies that are, due to their number of employees, subject to co-determination [the right of workers to participate in company management] − such as Deutsche Telekom.
