UK: Women-only shortlists for top city jobs ruled out by equalities body

Article here. Excerpt:

'Vince Cable's attempt to use positive discrimination to get more women into the boardrooms of major companies has been thwarted by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which has ruled out the use of all-female shortlists.

The business secretary had asked the equalities body to advise him on the legality of excluding men when trying to fill top City jobs as part of an effort to improve the gender balance in boardrooms.

Laura Carstensen, an EHRC commissioner, has issued new guidance which makes clear that using women-only shortlists is unlawful under equality law.

"It constitutes unlawful sex discrimination to select a person for a role because of their gender. The law does not permit positive discrimination when making an appointment or a promotion," the guidance said.'