"I’m committed to creating a working environment where everyone can thrive wherever they come from, and whatever they’re going through.” Annette King, CEO of Publicis Groupe is laying out the network's comprehensive family friendly policies. 

As she explains: “As we emerge from the pandemic, business has a responsibility to build back better. I’m committed to creating a new working environment where everyone can thrive wherever they come from, and whatever they’re going through. The introduction of these new family friendly policies is the next step in that journey.”

From 1 September 2021, the following policies will be in place across Publicis Groupe UK:

·       Pregnancy / Maternity Leave: 26 weeks full pay

·       Adoption leave: 26 weeks full pay

·       Surrogacy leave: 26 weeks full pay

·       Shared Parental Leave: 26 weeks full pay

·       A phased ‘return to work’ policy meaning employees can take a gradual approach to their return during the first month back on full pay

·       Paternity / Second Parent Leave: four weeks full pay

·       Fertility policy: up to 10 days paid leave for anyone going through fertility treatment and up to 10 days paid leave for a supporting partner

·       Pregnancy loss: up to four weeks paid leave for anyone experiencing pregnancy loss, up to 10 days paid leave for the partner affected, and two days’ leave for an employee supporting a family member experiencing pregnancy loss

Paula Cunnington, Chief Talent Officer, Publicis Groupe UK, added: “Navigating the challenges of family life while building a career can be difficult, and this tends to impact some groups more than others. We want to ensure that whether someone is a solo parent, adopting a child, undergoing the challenging process of IVF or supporting a partner, they can continue to grow and progress their career within our business. We know these are the things that matter to our employees.”

Earlier this year, Publicis Groupe UK introduced a menopause policy, and training to educate employees and raise awareness on the subject, which is often taboo. Kate Edwards, Managing Partner at Publicis•Poke explained eloquently why the creative industries, along with others, urgently need to address the deafening silence around the menopause.

Earlier this year Saatchi & Saatchi applied its ‘Nothing is impossible’ mantra to setting about revolutionising the industry for working parents

As Gemma Phillips, Creative Director at Saatchi & Saatchi, explained: “We needed to expand our policies and shift our culture to one that allows working parents, and particularly working mums, to not only survive at work, but to thrive ”