• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, March 12, 2020

To enable what’s become known as “social distancing” in its offices, Omnicom has instituted a policy that requires agencies to stagger their employees’ schedules to keep the headcount in an office to approximately 50% of normal levels. 

And for the next two weeks, the company's agencies are implementing schedules with alternate work-in-office/work-from-home days. 

For staffers who use public transportation, the company has advised staggering the start and end time of their workday to avoid rush hour, such as working from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The moves are the latest the company has implemented, designed to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. The work-from-home policy is effective March 16. 

Omnicom has also formed a task force to monitor the crisis and coordinate with its agency networks and other units throughout the organization. 

The company stressed that policy guidance will continue to be based on input from leadership and “the advice of national, local and city regulatory authorities, including the CDC, World Health Organization and National Health Service.” 

All the holding companies are taking special measures to deal with the crisis, including earlier reported travel restrictions.

Increasingly, agencies are urging staff to work at home, as well including Horizon Media and StrawberryFrog.

WPP has issued global guidance that staffers who have COVID-related concerns about working in offices may work at home.