Five months since introducing “Equality Time” a 32-hour flexible working week, with a dedicated weekly “Life management day”, Equality Media + Marketing are poised to rollout the next wave of progressive Staff Entitlement policies aptly named “Equality Care”.
Data metrics over the 20-week period since the launch of Equality Time show a 68 per cent reduction in time spent in meetings and an increase of 11 per cent in active tasks, with Staff reporting to feeling both more energised & more productive at work since its introduction. With Equality Time now in full swing, founder and managing director Marilla Akkermans wants to continue to push the boundaries on how agencies have traditionally been structured.
“We’ve only seen positive results since switching to the 4-day work week, and while we are a human-led business, even I’ve been surprised at not only how quickly the team have adapted and benefited from this change, but also how we have as a business,” said Akkermans. “We know that as much as we can give to our people we always get back more – when our team is happier, well rested, and feels valued they are more committed and produce brilliant work and results for our clients.
“That is why we’re bringing in Equality Care. We want to acknowledge the whole person we have on the team, and sometimes things happen in our personal life that make work more difficult. If we can offer support across the most common areas we see our staff struggle with, like our Menopause & Menstruation Leave, then we’re doing our bit.”
Equality Care is a dimensional programme of entitlements that are designed to further support staff. Pre-empting forthcoming legislation, all staff at Equality Media + Marketing under Equality Care will receive have access of up to 19 days additional leave over and above standard entitlements as well as an extra week annual leave when they have reached three years of service:
• Menopause / Menstruation Leave – 5 days paid per year
• Gender Affirmation Leave – 10 days paid
• Cultural/Ceremonial Leave – 2 days paid per year
• Pawternity Leave – 2 days paid per year
• Loyalty leave – 1 week additional paid leave after 3 years of continuous service
In addition to Equality Time and the rollout of Equality Care, Marilla has made a further commitment to her staff and clients with the announcement of two new senior hires set to bolster the Agency’s Creative and Media arms.
Sam Robson joins as business director marketing and creative bringing exceptional experience in Marketing and Property Development, having previously worked with industry heavy weights Resimax Group, Cedar Woods and Metricon. “Joining such a progressive full-service agency in such an exciting time was an opportunity too good to refuse. Coming in off the back of such solid client growth, I’m excited to work in with a team that truly understands the value of results driven creative” Robson said.
Complementing Robson, leading Equality’s media offering is Katie Balfe (pictured). With extensive Agency, Marketing and Consulting experience across Asia, North America & locally, Balfe brings commercial acumen, rigour and creativity. Balfe commented: “I have watched Equality, from the very start reinvent the agency model, to successfully deliver a truly committed environment that really values people. To be invited to be part of such a tight knit, commercially astute team is tremendous”.
Managing director & Equality Media founder, Marilla Akkermans said: “Sam & Katie resonated culturally right off the bat, and it was clear to us how they could both add to our culture. We’re pinching ourselves that we’ve managed to nab two amazingly smart, talented, down to earth people to head up our business streams with over 35 years of combined experience. We are a progressive workplace, and these news hires will only solidify our growth and continue to underpin the importance of senior resource in a team”.
Equality Media + Marketing is an independent full service agency offering end to end media and marketing solutions to a diverse range of businesses and brands. Equality delivers values and measurable connections between businesses and their brands. Equality was founded with the view to having a positive impact on people, partners and the environment.
