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WPP, the FTSE 100 advertising giant, has announced a new policy requiring employees to work in the office at least four days a week starting in April. The unexpected announcement comes just as the company is set to lose its position as the world’s largest advertising firm to its French competitor, Publicis, according to City AM.
Under the new rules, employees will need to work in the office four days a week, with a requirement to be in the office for at least two Fridays each month. Staff will have the flexibility to choose the other days they wish to work remotely.
This policy change makes WPP the first major advertising holding company to mandate four days in the office, surpassing rivals like Publicis and Omnicom, which operate with a three-day in-office rule.
WPP is facing stagnating growth after a period of strong performance during the pandemic. The company has struggled as more clients move their advertising work in-house and spend more on digital platforms like Google and Amazon. In fact, over half of global advertising spending is now directed to Big Tech — a trend that has put pressure on traditional agencies like WPP.
Despite these challenges, WPP’s leadership argues that more time in the office will improve employee engagement and client satisfaction. The company has pointed to internal surveys suggesting that higher office attendance is linked to better performance across various metrics, including financial results.
