WPP Employees Protest New Office Policy

WPP's new mandate requiring employees to return to the office four days a week has sparked significant backlash, with over 11,000 employees signing a petition urging CEO Mark Read to revoke the policy. Critics argue that this decision undermines the progress made toward flexible work arrangements post-COVID and could negatively impact employee morale and retention. Some employees perceive the move as a lack of trust from leadership, particularly as many face challenges related to commuting and housing affordability. In response, WPP's CEO emphasized the importance of in-person collaboration for team cohesion and mentioned that the policy would allow for flexibility in certain circumstances. Additionally, a growing sentiment among staff suggests that this directive may push some employees to consider leaving the company. The official implementation of the four-day office return mandate is set for early April 2024.