Mitarbeiterin

Mitarbeiterin is a German noun meaning a female employee or staff member. It is the feminine form of Mitarbeiter and is used to denote a woman who works for a company or organization. The word is formed from Mitarbeiter (employee, co-worker) with the feminine suffix -in.

Form and usage: In singular, articles are die Mitarbeiterin; in plural, die Mitarbeiterinnen. The word appears in job descriptions, internal communications, and official documents. In German, the masculine form Mitarbeiter is often used generically, but many style guides encourage explicit gendered forms or inclusive language to reflect the workforce accurately. Common inclusive constructions include the phrase Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter or the gender-neutral Mitarbeitende.

Examples: Sie ist eine erfahrene Mitarbeiterin im Vertrieb. In einem Unternehmen kann man darauf achten, sowohl Mitarbeiterinnen als auch Mitarbeiter zu benennen, um alle Beschäftigten anzusprechen.

Alternatives and related terms: For neutral or inclusive language, terms such as Mitarbeitende or Beschäftigte are frequently used. Angestellte is another term that can refer to employees, with gender forms Angestellter (male) and Angestellte (female). In broader contexts, Belegschaft can refer to the entire staff.

Regional and stylistic notes: The term is common in German-speaking regions, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Some organizations publish guidelines for gender-fair language, which may favor neutral or combined forms to avoid implying a male default.

See also: Gender in the workplace, Gendered nouns, Gender-inclusive language.