Gender sensitivity and diversity competence in the context of German-language job advertisements

Background: Changes to the law on gender diversity in Germany strengthen the self-determination of people and have far-reaching effects, including on the General Equal Treatment Act (Allgemeine Gleichbehandlungsgesetz, AGG) in the area of protection against discrimination, e.g. in the employment context, especially in job advertisements. Since 2018, gender-neutral/sensitive wording has been required in job advertisements (Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes, 2024). The study examines whether gender sensitivity in this context is related to the skills and personality traits of employees and to what extent gender sensitivity is implemented in German-language job advertisements.Method: Following a explorative cross-sectional study with a mixed-methods research design was conducted. The gender sensitivity, diversity competence and personality traits of test persons (N = 44) were correlated and the implementation of the "TransVisible" recommendations (2020) for the formulation of 60 job advertisements from a big data dataset from 2024 was analyzed.Results: There were correlations between gender sensitivity and diversity competence as well as diversity competence and openness among the respondents who are professionally involved with job advertisements. In addition, the implementation of gender sensitivity in German-language job advertisements could be characterized. For example, there are differences with regard to different professions and federal states. It was also found that there are still considerable deficits in the implementation of gender sensitivity in the German-language job advertisement market.