WPP employees rally against four-day office return mandate

The signatories contend that inflexible office policies can exact a mental and social toll on employees, pointing to a wealth of resources that question the productivity and engagement benefits of strictly enforced in-office schedules.

By  Storyboard18Jan 15, 2025 9:46 AM
WPP employees rally against four-day office return mandate
The employees, who represent some of the 114,000 staff under the WPP umbrella, have launched a petition urging CEO Mark Read to revoke the policy—an initiative that has already garnered over 11,000 signatures in four days.

A growing number of WPP employees have come together under the banner "Concerned WPP employees" to challenge the advertising giant's recently introduced four-day office return mandate.

The employees, who represent some of the 114,000 staff under the WPP umbrella, have launched a petition urging CEO Mark Read to revoke the policy—an initiative that has already garnered over 11,000 signatures in four days.

In the petition, workers argue that forcing staff back into the office for at least four days a week goes against the broader shift toward flexible work arrangements in the post-COVID era. “This mandate comes from CEO Mark Read and impacts all 114,000 staff under the WPP umbrella,” the petition notes, claiming that insisting on a more rigid schedule “seems to be a step backwards in supporting employee wellbeing and work-life balance, citing anecdotal data that either does not exist or has been misrepresented.”

The signatories contend that inflexible office policies can exact a mental and social toll on employees, pointing to a wealth of resources that question the productivity and engagement benefits of strictly enforced in-office schedules.

However, according to an internal memo, CEO Mark Read reportedly maintains that working in person facilitates learning from each other and fosters more cohesive teamwork—particularly important for winning pitches in the fast-paced advertising landscape.

The WPP chief assured staff that the “spirit of flexibility” remains, and that the policy will accommodate those with unique circumstances, including health issues and caring responsibilities. Roles that have traditionally been remote will reportedly remain so.

The debate at WPP mirrors a wider industry shift, as corporations reassess remote and hybrid work arrangements.

JPMorgan Chase, for example, is moving hybrid workers to a five-day office schedule, while tech giants including Amazon and AT&T announced at the end of 2024 that they would require employees to return to office this year.

For WPP, the official four-day return mandate is set to begin in early April, and in the meantime, the employee-led petition continues to gain momentum.

First Published on Jan 15, 2025 8:55 AM

More from Storyboard18

Advertising

Amid AI upheaval, advertising leaders seek balance between talent and technology

Amid AI upheaval, advertising leaders seek balance between talent and technology

How it Works

No Small Feat: Building a ratings agency in India cost upwards of Rs 1,000 crore

No Small Feat: Building a ratings agency in India cost upwards of Rs 1,000 crore

Advertising

Adcounty Media lists at 53% premium, debuts at Rs 130 on BSE SME

Adcounty Media lists at 53% premium, debuts at Rs 130 on BSE SME

How it Works

Advertisers on X’s hashtag ban and vertical ad pricing: Inward focus could trigger lower ad spends

Advertisers on X’s hashtag ban and vertical ad pricing: Inward focus could trigger lower ad spends

Advertising

India's AdEx likely to increase by 7.8% to Rs 1.37 lakh crore in 2025: Magna

India's AdEx likely to increase by 7.8% to Rs 1.37 lakh crore in 2025: Magna

Brand Makers

The trio of video, social and retail to lead India’s adex growth in 2025: MAGNA

The trio of video, social and retail to lead India’s adex growth in 2025: MAGNA

How it Works

Digital ads extend lead over traditional media, set to hit Rs 728 billion in 2025: MAGNA

Digital ads extend lead over traditional media, set to hit Rs 728 billion in 2025: MAGNA

Advertising

Life Insurers launch Rs 450 crore pan-India awareness campaign

Life Insurers launch Rs 450 crore pan-India awareness campaign