Away From All Creatures Great and Small. Challenged Professional Identities of Female Veterinarians in Germany by Lisa Ulmer-Stein, Gabriela Knubben-Schweizer und Yves Jeanrenaud
The veterinary profession in Germany has shifted from male-dominated to largely female, reflecting global trends. Yet women still face pay gaps and limited career advancement. The 2018 amended German Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG), intended to support continued work during pregnancy, often leads to prohibition notices as employers avoid risks, which is worsening staff shortages and stress. Based on qualitative interviews with female veterinarians whose pregnancies occurred at least four years ago, this study found whilst most wished to keep working, they feared losing their professional identity. Uncertain about legal requirements, employers frequently imposed bans, especially in roles with frequent animal contact. This loss of self-determination prompted coping strategies for the women such as career changes or concealing pregnancy. Thus, despite protective aims, rigid legislation and uncertainty reinforces external control and undermines women’s professional identity and sense of belonging built around direct animal contact.
Keywords
veterinarian; veterinary medicine; work; professional identity; maternal leave; qualitative methods; employment ban; Germany