When language becomes a predetermined breaking point
What happens when a federal agency insists on gender-neutral language—and a long-time employee speaks out against it? According to Bild Zeitung, a legal dispute is currently underway in Hamburg between the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) and one of its employees. The reason: an internal document in which the woman deliberately did not use gender-neutral language.
A few missing special characters quickly turned into a serious conflict. Written warnings followed, and ultimately dismissal. But the person concerned was not willing to accept this—and took legal action against her dismissal. Successfully, at least for the time being.
Radiation protection without gender asterisks
Konkret geht es um eine Anweisung zum Strahlenschutz, die die Mitarbeiterin im Rahmen ihrer Arbeit verfasste. Sie nutzte dabei klassische Berufsbezeichnungen wie „Strahlenschutzbeauftragter“ oder „ermächtigter Arzt“ – Begriffe, die ihrer Meinung nach klar, juristisch belastbar und sachlich richtig seien. Ihre Begründung: In sicherheitskritischen Bereichen dürfe Sprache nicht verwässern oder unpräzise sein. „Es geht um Funktionen, nicht um Geschlechter“, sagte sie gegenüber der Presse.
The office saw things differently. Gender-neutral wording had long been part of the internal language guidelines. Anyone who refused to comply was violating internal standards. Two warnings later, the employee was dismissed.
Labor court rules in favor of woman—for now
In July 2025, however, the Hamburg Labor Court ruled that neither the warnings nor the dismissal were legally valid. The judges emphasized that there was no legal obligation to write internal texts in gender-neutral language. As long as a document was correct in terms of content and technically comprehensible, that should be sufficient.
A victory for the plaintiff – but not yet a final conclusion. The BSH has lodged an appeal. On February 5, 2026, the Hamburg Regional Labor Court will reopen the case. Until then, the termination is suspended.
The authority itself is keeping a low profile. For data protection reasons, it says, it does not want to comment on personnel matters. Officially, the woman is still part of the organization—whether she will ever return to her job remains to be seen.
Recht 24/7:
Man kann sich darüber streiten, ob Gendern sinnvoll, notwendig oder übertrieben ist. Aber wer bei einem simplen Dokument gleich mit Kündigung reagiert, hat das Maß verloren. Es ist ein gefährliches Signal, wenn aus Sprache plötzlich ein politischer Gehorsamstest wird. Amtssprache muss präzise sein – aber sie darf auch Platz für Meinungsfreiheit lassen. Wer Vielfalt fordert, sollte sie auch aushalten können. Auch ohne Genderstern.
Source: bild.de
Find out how you can defend yourself against unfair dismissals! Book a consultation with our lawyers now.
to the lawyerAt a fixed price of 169 EURO (gross)
