DisruptHR with Jarina Kurt-Jauch: Why Courage at Work Starts with Three Words: We Stand With You
What happens when life suddenly delivers a diagnosis that turns everything upside down?
In her moving DisruptHR talk, Jarina Kurt -Jauch confronts a reality that affects every second person in their lifetime: cancer. And with this reality comes a question that most Organisations are still unprepared to answer:
What happens at work when someone hears, “You have cancer”?
Jarina paints a stark and honest picture. The emails don’t stop. Meetings continue. Deadlines stay. But the person behind all of it—someone who used to perform at their highest level—is suddenly living in an entirely different world. And yet, so many remain silent.
Why? Because revealing a life-threatening illness often feels like risking one's identity, one's standing, even one's job. The fear of no longer being seen as strong, reliable, or high-performing is powerful enough to push people into hiding.
But as Jarina explains, something extraordinary happens when leaders choose honesty.
When Leadership Speaks Up, People Follow
Jarina recounts the moment a CEO of a listed company publicly shared his cancer diagnosis. What could have been seen as a vulnerability instead became a catalyst.
People began to speak up.
Across countries and hierarchies, Mitarbeitende and leaders opened up about their own stories, their fears, and their experiences of hiding. Instead of eroding trust, this moment of humanity strengthened it.
And the impact wasn’t emotional alone—it was measurable.
Seven out of ten cancer survivors reported that workplace support had a positive effect on their recovery.
Leaders felt more empowered. Teams felt more connected.
And perhaps most striking: Mitarbeitende felt proud to work for an Organisation that truly stands behind its people.
Culture Is Not a Poster. It’s a Decision.
Jarina’s message cuts through the noise of employer branding slogans:
Organisational culture is not what you print on a wall.
It’s what you do when things get hard.
Culture is built in moments of humanity—the moments where we choose to stand next to someone rather than look away because it's complicated or uncomfortable.
And creating this culture doesn’t require massive programmes or complex strategies. It starts with something far simpler: intentional action.
Start Small. Start Now. Start with Meaning It.
Jarina offers practical, immediate ways Organisations can take the first step:
Add a single sentence to the employee handbook: “If you have a life-threatening illness, we stand with you.”
Open the conversation—don’t wait for a crisis.
Explore initiatives like the Working With Cancer Pledge, which encourages companies to publicly commit to supporting Mitarbeitende through severe illness.
Make support visible: share stories, quotes, or the pledge itself on your internal channels. Show that talking about illness is not a weakness—but an act of humanity.
Because while we cannot change the diagnoses our colleagues may face, we can choose how we react to them. And that choice makes all the difference.
Why Supporting People Is a Strategy, Not a Gesture
Jarina closes with a powerful reminder: Doing the right thing isn’t just ethical—it’s smart.
When people feel safe, they stay.
When people feel seen, they engage.
When people feel supported, they come back stronger.
This is not soft leadership. This is not “nice-to-have” culture.
This is strategic, human-centred Organisation building. And it begins with three simple words: We stand with you.
Key Takeaways
Every second person will face a life-threatening illness such as cancer—meaning every Organisation is affected.
Fear of judgement or job loss often keeps Mitarbeitende silent about their diagnosis.
When leaders speak openly about illness, it normalises vulnerability and empowers others to do the same.
Support at work significantly improves recovery, with 7 out of 10 survivors reporting positive effects.
Real culture is created in moments of difficulty—not by slogans, but by actions.
Organisations can start small: a statement in the employee handbook, visible support, and participation in initiatives like the Working With Cancer Pledge.
Supporting Mitarbeitende is not just compassionate—it is a strategic advantage that enhances retention, engagement, and resilience.
About Jarina Kurt-Jauch
Chief People & Culture Officer at Publicis Groupe Schweiz
Safe enough to try -That’s the mindset she brings to everything she does. As Chief People & Culture Officer, Jarina Kurt -Jauch combines strategy and empathy to create workplaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to thrive. Solution-oriented and calm even in chaos, she leads with structure, heart, and a genuine passion for people.
A passionate advocate for Working with Cancer and Screening Time Off, she champions wellbeing and inclusion as the foundation of real performance. For her, culture isn’t a project — it’s lived, every day, by everyone.
Our Sponsors
A big thank you to our main partner Workday, our partner HR Cosmos, our host Coople and video producer Online Recruiter.
About DisruptHR
Innovative, fresh ideas and opinions that rethink and reshape the working world, presented by around 10 speakers in just 5 minutes each: that’s DisruptHR.
Our speakers are coached by our TEDxLausanne Speaker Coach, Christopher Lübbers, to help them bring out their very best.
SPOT ON has been organizing these events for many years in Zurich. To date, more than 100 speakers have taken the stage at our events.
