«Actively seek out and listen to the perspectives, experiences and needs of people from different backgrounds. It is extremely important to create an environment where everyone feels safe and valued, so that they can bring their best-self to the workplace.»
Dimitri Gitas, Managing Director MSD Switzerland
Interview with DIMITRI GITAS
«Stronger when equal»: We are all stronger, when equal. What does this mean for you personally?
«Stronger when equal» means that we are all stronger and better off when we are treated equally and have equal opportunities. For me personally, it means that I believe in and advocate for gender equality, and I believe that everyone should have the same opportunities to succeed regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic.
What advice about creating a diverse and inclusive workplace would you have liked to have as a young CEO?
My advice for creating an inclusive and diverse workplace would be to actively seek out and listen to the perspectives, experiences and needs of people from different backgrounds. It is extremely important to create an environment where everyone feels safe and valued, so that they can bring their best-self to the workplace.
«My wife and I have a very strong partnership where we distribute domestic work and family and child responsibilities equally.»
How should we raise our children in order to get to gender equality faster? How would you advise young people who want to have a career and a family?
My advice to young people who want to pursue their career goals and also have a family would be to prioritize what’s important to them and find a work-life balance that fits their needs. It’s also important to find a supportive partner, and to communicate openly with your employer about your needs and expectations.
As for raising children for an equal future, it’s important to model and teach them about gender equality, respect, and inclusion from a young age.
10 years Advance, engaging for a gender equal workplace. What is your wish for progress in gender balance in the next 10 years? And how do you see the role of leaders on this journey?
My wish for progress in gender balance over the next ten years would be for more women to hold leadership positions in Swiss companies and for more men to be actively engaged in promoting gender equality.
I believe that leaders have a responsibility to set an example and create a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in their organizations.
How much time do you invest in domestic work? If you have a family or live in a partnership, is this work equally distributed? What is your preferred type of housework?
I invest a lot of time in domestic work. My wife and I have a very strong partnership where we distribute domestic work and family and child responsibilities equally whenever I am home. I love to cook and do yard work, but happy to best support wherever I’m needed most.
msd HAS CHOSEN THE «NDEBELE ADVANCINE» by michelle ringeisen
Partner companies of the exhibition could choose an «Advancine» as part of their sponsorship, which will continue to inspire employees, managers and customers alike after the exhibition at the company headquarters.
Discover the artwork «Ndebele» by Michelle Ringeisen!
in Conversation with Msd Switzerland
How is Gender Diversity connected with the business success of your company?
Having a diverse workforce is essential for a company’s growth and success. Indeed, it offers the opportunity to welcome diverse perspectives, ideas, and solutions. This leads to increased creativity, innovation, and problem-solving abilities, which is a great advantage in a competitive market. A wide range of experiences also leads to more informed decisions. By prioritizing Gender Diversity, we also open ourselves up to a wider talent pool and play a key role in identifying the best talents.
what are your three most successful initiatives and measures to balance the gender representation in management?
Generous Parental Leave
As part of our commitment to promoting gender equality and supporting families, MSD offers a fully paid 16-week gender-neutral parental leave.
Hybrid and Flexible Working Models
Another way to foster gender parity is by offering a hybrid working model that combines both remote work and in-person work. The hybrid working model offers a number of benefits to employees, such as increased flexibility, improved work-life balance, reduced commuting time, and a better ability to manage personal commitments. It can also help to promote greater collaboration and teamwork, as employees can take advantage of both in-person and remote communication and collaboration tools.
Measuring Progress by KPIs
Further, in April 2022, we implemented the Gender Parity Roadmap with defined key actions at the country and site level. This includes regular updates on our gender parity KPI (key performance index) numbers as well as opening leadership roles at a 80-100% to ensure that everyone can reach their full potential.
Why did msd choose THE artwork «ndebele»? What message would you like to convey to co-workers and beyond?
We are convinced that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental and at the core of what we do at MSD Switzerland. We believe that a diverse workforce leads to better decision-making, improved innovation, and increased profitability. When organizations have diverse perspectives and experiences at the table, they are more likely to come up with creative solutions and ideas.
We believe that gender equality is a fundamental human right and promoting it in the workplace is simply the right thing to do. Everyone should have equal opportunities and be treated fairly, regardless of their gender.
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FIND ALL THE ARTWORKS HERE
29 artists created an «Advancine» – each inspiring in a unique way.
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