Your little break: The 2026 Staff Meeting puts wellbeing and contact with one another at the heart of the event

Our day-to-day working lives often demand our full attention – which makes it all the more important to consciously savour moments, establish contact with one another or make time for each other. This is precisely the focus of this year’s staff meeting on Wednesday, 7 October 2026: Under the motto ‘Your little break’, all staff are invited to Room 14-B001 from 9.00 am to take time for themselves and to spend time together. Alongside a relaxed tea corner and an active break, an inspiring guest talk by Techniker Krankenkasse will form the centrepiece of the event – streamed in a hybrid format for anyone wishing to join digitally.

In the hectic day-to-day life of university, juggling teaching periods, research projects and administrative duties, taking a collective breather often falls by the wayside. This year’s staff meeting therefore aims to provide a deliberate counterbalance.

“Our day-to-day work at the university is demanding and tightly scheduled. Under the motto ‘Your little break’, we want to give all colleagues the space to pause for a moment, recharge their batteries and strike up casual conversations,” emphasises Christian Rabe, Chairperson of the General Staff Council.

Coming together: From the tea bar to an active break

The meeting begins at 9.00 am with an informal get-together in Room 14-B001. Over a cup of freshly brewed Infused Tea, colleagues can chat and start the day together. The official part of the staff meeting begins at 9.30 am.

Following the first round of discussions, a 15-minute active break at 10.30 am will provide a fresh burst of energy: an ideal opportunity to take a deep breath, stretch and enjoy some healthy refreshments before the programme continues with a guest presentation.

Guest talk: Happiness can be cultivated

At 10.45 am, Isabell Drescher from Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) will speak on the topic of ‘Make yourself happy! – Sustainable strategies for a life with more joy’. Happiness is not purely a matter of chance, but can be cultivated: this entertaining and practical talk will explore the factors that influence our personal well-being and how even small, consciously established mini-habits can bring lasting greater satisfaction and serenity to our everyday lives and work.

For colleagues who are unable to attend in person, the guest talk will be streamed in a hybrid format. You can easily join via the Webex room: Join the Webex meeting

Following the talk, the team from the General Staff Council, as well as the Academic and Non-Academic Staff Councils, will be on hand to answer personal questions and engage in discussions.

And: Please put your mobile phones away for a quick live poll.

Focus on dialogue: reports and data available digitally in advance

As was the case last year, the official part of the event will deliberately avoid lengthy columns of figures and slide decks. To maximise the time available for discussion, reflection and networking, all relevant reports, figures and facts are now available digitally on the General Staff Council’s website.