Government adopts bill on gender equality for large listed companies
The Polish government has approved a draft law aimed at improving gender balance in decision-making bodies at major listed companies. The proposal, submitted by the Minister of Justice, would require large public companies to increase the representation of the underrepresented gender, whether women or men, on management and supervisory boards. The target is at least one-third of all board positions. Companies would have to use transparent, criteria-based selection procedures, and when candidates have comparable qualifications, preference would go to the underrepresented gender. Shareholder meetings would also need to adopt a gender-balance policy, while company boards would prepare annual reports on gender representation.
The rules would apply only to large listed companies with at least 250 employees and meeting financial criteria. The law implements EU requirements.
