I received a note from Sarah at the EEO Trust in New Zealand asking if we could supply a quick summary of the key points in the new ASX corporate governance guidelines relating to gender diversity reporting.  Here's the summary we've prepared which may also be of assistance to you in planning how your organisation will respond to the unprecedented demand for skilled and experienced businesswomen. A few important points to note about this new compliance requirement:

• the requirement is mandatory for all companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange
• reporting requirements apply to the first full financial year commencing on or after 1st January 2011 - although early adoption is encouraged
• annual reporting is required on the number of women in the whole organisation, in senior executive positions and on the Board.

NOTE THAT we are already seeing best practice employers who fall outside of these requirements voluntarily adopting the reporting guidelines as a strategy to attract and retain women in their business - and this is in part responsible for the increasing demand for high calibre women. 

Be forewarned that how you choose to respond - whether or not you are a listed company - will have an impact on your employer brand and have a flow-on effect in the retention of you senior women.

Click here to access our policy summary of the ASX gender reporting guidelines.