WPP CEO Mark Read has detailed plans to get the 130,000 global employees of the world’s biggest media company back into the office.
In a memo to staff on Monday, Read stressed any move back to the office would be a “slow and measured process”. He made no particular mention of the Australian operations.
The memo read: “In a few markets in Asia and Europe, we are opening offices now and some people are already starting to come back. In others, including London and New York, even when we do open offices we are not currently expecting significant numbers to return before September or October, and it may well be later.”
Read added that returning to the office would be voluntary and flexible, with management taking into account individual situations.
He added that a return to work would only be on the cards “if we believe we can meet the highest of safety standards”, which means strict social-distancing rules will need to be adhered to.
The use of public transport also remains an issue with Read adding: “We will need to know that people can get to work safely.”
He added: “Finally, we’ve all been thinking about how we want to work in the future and what we can learn from this experience – both personally and professionally. It’s certainly something I’ve asked myself. As we look ahead, we will redesign how we operate around the needs of our people and clients in a changed world.
“To be clear, our priority is to take all necessary precautions for the safety of our people and our communities. The return to offices will be a slow and measured process, with all decisions made in consultation with local leadership and communicated early to give people plenty of notice. In the meantime, we’re working in particular on how best to support the mental and physical well-being of people working from home for long periods,” Read said.
