On-site Day

Kick-off by Prof. Dr. Gudrun Sander and Antje Kanngiesser

9:30 – 10:15 | German

Workshop Round 1

10:30 – 12:00 | St. Gallen

Workshop 1:

Mindful Leadership: Strengthening Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Monika Hessemer | German

In a rapidly changing world, it is becoming increasingly important to be mindful of diversity in work teams. Neurodiversity in particular, i.e. the natural diversity in thought and perception processes, is of great importance not only for successful collaboration, but also for innovation and creativity.

This workshop will explore the question of what exactly is meant by neurodiversity and how it affects work. We will interactively develop and experience practical strategies on how we can use mindful-ness for healthy and benevolent cooperation in order to promote the well-being of all. Common mindfulness exercises will first be tried out and then transferred to everyday working life.

Workshop 2:

Fertility Gap: What Is the Business Case for Family Planning?

Dr. Anna Brzycky, Sandra Cesna, Dr. Nora Keller, Prof. Dr. Gudrun Sander, Dr. Damiano Urbinello and Elisabeth Vey | English 

1 in 7 couples in Switzerland is struggling with infertility (i.e. they do not conceive a child after 12 months of regular and unprotected sexual intercourse). The age at which most individuals start planning their families has shifted to over 31, or even to late 30s for people with higher education levels, which exacerbates age-related infertility.

The dream of a two-child family is becoming a reality for fewer people, leading to a fertility gap. What challenges does this development pose for government and organizational leaders? What role can or should they play? In our workshop, participants will

a) learn about our latest research on fertility and family planning in Switzerland and current employer initiatives supporting family planning, career development, and fertility, and
b) discuss concrete options for action from leader and policy maker perspectives with business leaders, experts, and affected persons.

Workshop 3: 

Healthy Leadership – Strengthening Yourself and Others

Prof. Dr. Stephan Böhm and Dr. Louisa Riess | German

Healthy, motivated and productive employees and leaders are the ideal of every organization. Unfortunately, the reality is often much grayer. Digitalization and work intensification are increasing the mental demands on employees. Absenteeism due to mental health problems is also steadily increasing, turning the active promotion of physical, mental and social health in the workplace into a crucial task for organizations.

The workshop will discuss key determinants of mental and physical health and present specific intervention options. In addition to aspects of self-management and burnout prevention, there will be a particular focus on healthy leadership behavior whose effectiveness will be illustrated using evidence-based company examples.

Workshop 4:

Leading Like a Black Belt: Trust, Respect, and Inclusion Through Jiu Jitsu

Participants will explore how these lessons apply to leadership and team dynamics in organizations. The session includes light and optional movement exercises designed to reflect on trust and collaboration. These exercises may include non-physical or light physical interaction, such as briefly placing your hands against someone else’s in a standing position. No special clothing or experience is required.

Whether you choose to participate actively or prefer to observe, you will leave with practical insights on how to build stronger relationships and lead with greater awareness of inclusion, respect, and trust.

Keynote

13:30 – 14:30

Keynote:  Talent or Background? Education and Careers in Switzerland

Prof. Dr. Rolf Becker | German

Even though access to education in Switzerland has grown in recent decades, not everyone has the same chances when it comes to education. A person’s background still matters a lot. This keynote will explore the following questions:

• Have better access to education and changes in the economy helped people find better jobs and move up in their careers?
• Is success at work today more based on effort and skills than on social background?
• Or do family influences still play an important role in shaping careers?

Workshops Round 11

14:45 – 16:15

Workshop 1:

DE&I Is Measurable: HR Indicators and Equal Pay Analysis as Strategic Means

Christoph Beier and Jérémy Fleury | German

It takes more than good intentions to embed diversity and inclusion sustainably – it takes structures that enable fair opportunities. Equity is the key here: only when systematic inequalities are recognised and addressed can the interplay between diversity, inclusion and wellbeing become effective. The prerequisite for this is a clear view of one’s own data – from gender distribution and age structures to salary structures.

Our DE&I benchmarking and equal pay analysis are an accessible, clear and intuitive tool for data visualisation and analysis to achieve precisely this goal.

HSG Diversity Benchmarking offers organisations the opportunity to make their diversity visible. Understanding the movement of talent within the organisation is the key to developing HR processes in a targeted manner towards more equity. We show you how you can make the best possible use of the results of the analysis.

Pay analysis is becoming increasingly important due to the new EU directive on pay transparency from 2027. We shed light on what the EU directive means for Swiss companies and what opportunities a transparent salary analysis offers.

Together, we will look at specific examples of how data can be used to recognise DE&I patterns and identify structural inequalities. What does the data tell us – and what doesn’t? What hurdles and opportunities are there when dealing with HR key figures?

Workshop 2:

Wellbeing Through a Culture of Respect – Shaping Together, Intervening Effectively

Dr. Anna-Katrin Heydenreich | German

Disrespectful behaviour, discrimination and sexual harassment violate personal integrity – with far-reaching consequences for health, the working environment and professional development. A respectful organisational culture counteracts this. Where fairness, equality and respect are practised, the risk of abusive behaviour is significantly reduced. Those affected feel more encouraged to come forward – and everyone’s well-being is strengthened.

In this interactive workshop, we will look together at the framework conditions for an effective culture of respect. We will reflect on personal experiences, explore structural contexts and develop concrete options for dealing with discriminatory or transgressive situations. The focus is on so-called active bystander skills – in other words, strategies for how we as observers can intervene in a clear, supportive and appropriate manner. With practical examples, we create space for exchange, reflection and trying things out together.

Workshop 3:

Self-Narratives and Psychological Health: A Storytelling Toolkit for Greater Well-Being

Dr. Nilima Chowdhury | English

Self-narratives are built from the norms, values and ideals of our culture as well as our individual psycho-biographies. They shape how we perceive and interpret our experiences and how we react to them, and thus our psychological health and well-being.

In this workshop, you will get to know typical self-narratives about health/ illness and well-/ill-being. Which elements of our self-narratives constrain us, which ones create scope for (new) thoughts, feelings and actions? Which alternative stories could be told and how would these impact our everyday life and work? Based on case studies and themes or situations that are relevant for you we develop a storytelling toolkit for more well-being together.

Workshop 4:

Inclusion That Makes a Difference: Relevance, Potential, and Pathways for Implementation at Work

Nicola V. Glumann, Emma S. Müller and Martin Schmid| German

Inclusion is more than a social ideal – it is a strategic lever for business success, innovation, and employee retention. In this interactive workshop, we explore the business relevance of inclusion and demonstrate how closely it is linked to employee wellbeing. Together, we will develop practical approaches for creating inclusive workplaces – from leadership behavior and communication culture to structural conditions. Using real-life examples, we will reflect on success factors and common challenges in implementation. This workshop is aimed at managers, HR professionals, and anyone looking to actively advance inclusion within their organization.

Conclusion, reflection, takeaways

16:30 – 16:45 

Aperitif

from 16:45 Uhr

Arrival at the Executive Campus HSG (WBZ)