The article looks at how job stability changed in West Germany in the 1980s and 1990s, focusing on men and women separately. Men experienced a decrease in job stability due to more layoffs and transitions to unemployment, possibly linked to downsizing in large firms. Women's job stability remained stable. The study also evaluates the impact of training programs and job creation schemes on employment chances in East Germany from 1990 to 1999. The findings suggest that these programs may help participants find and keep jobs, increasing flexibility in the labor market.