Congratulations: Kontextplan AG has been awarded our Excellence@Work 2025 employer seal. The Swiss spatial planning company, which operates in the areas of society, space, mobility and process and has offices in Bern, Zurich and Solothurn, is among the top 20% of all Swiss employers in our pool.
Our award is based on our scientifically sound employee survey, which we conducted with Kontextplan in March 2025. Only companies with a response rate of at least 80% of participating employees and an above-average level of employee motivation and satisfaction (of more than 80 points) can qualify for the award.
Kontextplan was able to convince its employees in these categories in particular:
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Fairness on the job
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Empowerment and participation
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Leadership culture
Why exactly do these aspects make an attractive employer? Let's take a look at some studies:
Fairness on the job
Justice and fairness are a basic human need. Even as children, we notice exactly when something is "not fair". It's no different in the workplace. Here, for example, it is not about the absolute wage, but about whether the wage is fair. Here too, social psychology studies show that fairness is essential for job satisfaction. If employees feel they are being treated unfairly, morale drops.
Working is not a one-way relationship. On the contrary: employees put a lot of energy into their job and expect something in return. For example, that they are not left alone in a family emergency or in stressful situations. This is exactly what we call the psychological contract. And our employee survey at Kontextplan shows this: Employees particularly appreciate the fact that the company stands by them even in difficult times.
Empowerment and participation
Who likes to work on demand? Who wants decisions to be made over their own head? Most people don't. We want to feel empowered and be involved in decisions. If you are allowed to express your opinion, you feel heard. Since the 1990s, scientific studies have shown that empowerment increases satisfaction. People who are allowed to think and have a say at work are happier and more motivated.
Leadership culture
Good leadership makes all the difference - even at Kontextplan. It determines whether employees feel inspired or extinguished. A company's leadership culture describes how respectfully and cooperatively managers treat their employees and whether they set an example in their day-to-day work of what they expect from others. It has a significant influence on job satisfaction and employer attractiveness.
It is often said: "Employees don't leave the company, they leave the boss." (People quit bosses, not jobs.) And there is some truth to this: dissatisfaction with managers is the second most common reason for resignation.
Article published on May 19, 2025
About Dr. Kathrin Neumüller
Dr. oec. HSG Kathrin Neumüller is Co-Managing Director at ValueQuest and an expert in employee inspiration and empowerment. She also teaches strategic management in the MBA program at the ZHAW. She holds a doctorate from the University of St. Gallen (HSG) and studied at the University of Cambridge. Learn more about Kathrin
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