Publicis Groupe is implementing a new companywide work-from-home policy, effective January 1, requiring employees to be in the office three days a week with Mondays a must for one of those days. Also no consecutive work-from-home days are allowed any longer. There will be some flexibility based on individual cases.  

That policy has been in effect in the U.S. since the spring and is now being rolled out globally. 

In a video message to employees, CEO Arthur Sadoun said work-from-home was a viable option during the COVID-19 pandemic. But people are at their best workwise when they are interacting face-to-face in an office environment working together. 

Full time WFH, he said, has led to less collaboration and innovation. Creativity has also suffered in some cases, he said.  

“We are at our best when we are together,” Sadoun stated. Face to face, people “inspire and care for each other” in ways that don’t manifest as readily in a Zoom environment.  

Other groups have adjusted their WFH policies as well. Like Publicis, Omnicom implemented three days in the office for U.S. personnel in the spring. There is still more flexibility outside the U.S. 

At IPG the corporate team has been working in the office three days a week for over a year. Agencies meanwhile retain the flexibility to manage the mix of in-person and remote work that is optimal for their business.  

WPP CEO Mark Read mentioned on a recent earnings call that he believes three to four days in the office is probably optimal but a rep didn't return a query about the firm's current WFH practice by deadline.