Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | March 5, 2018 | Worcester Business Journal 9 Iceland, France, Norway and Spain, according to New York City research firm MSCI. The threshold is at least 30 percent in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Malaysia and the Netherlands. The U.S. has no such requirements, and in the GAO study, 16 of the 19 major corporations said they did not support government quotas on board diversity. Yet, the GAO report gave reason for optimism. Although women made up 16 percent of board mem- bers on S&P 1500 companies, they make up 23 per- cent of new board members. Among the largest public companies, those on the S&P 500, 36 percent of new directors are women, according to Spencer Stuart. At the current rates, the GAO report estimated the gender gap on boards will be erased by around 2065. Even though our name is changing, our overriding commitment hasn't – add real value to our client's businesses and provide an unequaled focus on customer service, guaranteed! Unmatched technical expertise. Experienced strategic management. Fanatical focus on customer service. To see the positive difference we can bring to your business, contact us today. Rely on S&G just as you always have for: • Accounting & Tax Services • Business Consulting • Business Growth Planning • Business Exit & Transition Planning • Financial Services • Investment Management • Retirement Planning 508-757-3311 • www.sgllp.com Worcester • Framingham • Milford • Hyannis On a long journey, you take many small steps along the way. We've been on our journey for over 35 years. Now it's time to take a small step and change our name from Shepherd & Goldstein to simply S&G. W "If corporations are not forced to increase number of seats held by females they will continue to have the majority of board members comprised of males." No. The percentage of female board members is rising quickly enough and will eventually reach an equal balance. Board diversity shouldn't be required In the United States, 16.6 percent of corporate board members in the United States are female, putting the U.S. behind Western counterparts, including Norway and France, which double the American rate. New laws in those two countries require public companies to have women in 40 percent or more of their board positions, while other countries including Belgium, Germany and Italy, require a 30-percent threshold. F L A S H P O L L Should Massachusetts or the U.S. have a law requiring public companies to have a certain percentage of women on their boards? "Just as affirmative action has devalued the African American achievements, having quotas or laws requiring percentage determined by sex, this will devalue the woman." COMMENTS: "Only if a law is enacted that requires all board members are registered communists." 3% No. Companies shouldn't be required to have a percentage of any demographic on their boards. 70% Yes. But the law should allow for exceptions and be phased in over a long period of time. Yes. Progress has been too slow and drastic action is needed. 20% 7%

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