8:30 – 9:00 – Registration and welcome coffee

9:00 – 9:15 – Welcome remarks

9:15 – 10:30 – Plenary Session One: Rewriting the rules: Germany’s employment law reform

Germany is considering a broad package of legislative reforms that could significantly reshape the employment landscape for employers and employees. From greater flexibility around fixed-term contracts and changes to dismissal protection for high earners, to fundamental changes of working time, sick leave, pensions, retirement, and “minijobs”, the raft of proposals address some of the key challenges facing the German labour market. This session will explore the changes that matter most to businesses, the practical implications for employers and employees, and what organisations should be considering as legislation develops.

10:30 – 11:00 – Coffee break

11:00 – 12:15 – Plenary Session Two: The Art of the Deal: The employment lawyer’s role in M&A

People issues can make or break a transaction. Whether identifying hidden liabilities during due diligence, navigating employee transfers, or integrating two workforces after completion, employment lawyers play a critical role at every stage of the M&A lifecycle. With a focus on identifying risk, preserving value, and ensuring a smooth transition for employees, this session will provide lessons learned from recent transactions to discuss the employment issues that matter most to buyers and sellers. 

12:15 – 1:15 – Lunch

1:15 – 2:30 – Plenary Session Three: Reskilling in the age of AI: Legal risks and practical solutions

Digitalisation and AI are among the most visible drivers of workforce transformation, but they are only part of a much broader development. New technologies and production methods, changing products and services, global competition, cost pressures, relocation of activities, and persistent skills shortages are fundamentally reshaping how businesses organise work and build the workforce they need for the future. These developments may require entirely new skills and capabilities, while at the same time leading to restructuring, changes to working conditions, relocation or reductions in headcount. This panel will examine the legal and practical challenges of managing workforce transformation as well as the tools available to implement it successfully in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

2:30 – 3:45 – Plenary Session Four: Restructuring and industrial relations: Navigating change in a challenging market

Economic uncertainty and business transformation are placing renewed pressure on industrial relations worldwide. Drawing on recent developments, this session will explore how regional employers, trade unions, and employee representatives are navigating disputes arising from significant organisational change. The discussion will consider how employers can effectively manage contentious restructuring processes, negotiate with collective bodies, and respond to industrial pressure while maintaining business continuity.

3:45 – 4:15 – Coffee break

4:15 – 5:30 – Plenary Session Five: From pay gaps to pay governance: The future of transparent reward structures

The EU Pay Transparency Directive is set to transform how employers approach pay, recruitment, and workplace equality across Europe. While Germany and Austria are required to transpose the landmark directive into national law, Switzerland is also facing pressure to update its equal pay framework in response to evolving market expectations and developments among its European neighbours. This session will examine how the three DACH jurisdictions are responding to the changing pay transparency landscape and the practical implications for employers operating across jurisdictions. 

5:30 onwards – Close and networking drinks reception