These include guidelines, EU legislation, EU fundamental freedoms and all rights and principles of equal treatment, especially anti-discrimination law.

In the context of diversity, there are four central EU equal treatment directives that have already been transposed into German law (AGG):

• Anti-racism Directive (RL 2000/43/EC): on the application of the principle of equal treatment irrespective of racial or ethnic origin.
• Employment Framework Directive (RL 2000/78/EC): establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment & occupation.
• „Gender Guideline" (RL 2002/73/EG)
• Directive on the Gender equality also outside the world of work (2004/113/EC): implementing the principle of equal treatment between men & women in the access to and supply of goods & services.

The aim of the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) is, according to § 1 AGG,

"to prevent or eliminate discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual identity".

Note: State institutions are expected to play a model role & function in the implementation of the AGG in the context of discrimination protection.

• General Equal Treatment Act (AGG)

Other laws at the federal level:

• Works Constitution Act (BetrVG), esp. §§ 74 and 80
• Federal Partial Participation Act (BTHG)
• German Civil Code (BGB)
• Basic Law (GG), in particular Article 3
• Dismissal Protection Act (KSchG)
• Civil Partnership Act (LPartG)
• Staff Representation Acts (BPersVG): Land and federal government
• Social Code IX: Participation of disabled people
• Part-Time and Fixed-term Employment Act (TzBfG)
• German Act on Fixed-Term Scientific Contracts (WissZeitVG)

Higher education institutions fall under the jurisdiction of the Länder. The laws in question are as follows:

• Higher Education Freedom Acts (HFG)
• Framework Act for Higher Education (HRG)
• State Equal Opportunities Acts (LGG)
• State Staff Representation Act (LPVG NRW)