4.1.4.2 Employee well-being
100% of employees (permanent and temporary contracts) have access to various local health support services in the field of healthcare, whether internal or external services or third-party experts.
2020 marks a turning point in the range of services available to all employees, the pandemic having led the Human Resources and Talent Departments to strengthen the service catalog, and the partners have dramatically changed their proposals to adapt to the new context. Mental health and individualized support have played an important role in meeting the needs expressed by employees.
Many agencies organize internal training or awareness-raising campaigns linked to seasonal issues or pathologies or health risks. Everything has been done to take into account the challenges of this unique year, with a large part of the workforce working from home (isolation, personal constraints, etc.). Teams mainly work sitting in front of one or more screens and employees are sedentary during the day, with intense visual activity. The key areas for occupational illness prevention are: stress management (and/or psychosocial risks: PSR) and the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Eye strain and the prevention of risks related to sedentary working (cardiovascular disease) are included in health support plans, which often include a module on nutrition. This health support work is accompanied by ongoing discussion and action to improve working conditions and the way in which tasks are organized. For sports enthusiasts, many agencies facilitate access to nearby sports halls by offering discounts on subscriptions, or put classes online. Some entities are equipped with their own sports halls, like Sapient in India, and have an on-site trainer or coach, or like the Bastille Campus in Paris, have an indoor sports hall. Virtual sessions for all have replaced physical sessions. Finally, for the most energetic, agencies encourage teams to take part in events, however most of these were canceled in 2020 (running, cycling, marathons or half-marathons, team sports):
- in the United Kingdom, local management has been involved in a vast mental health support plan since 2019, involving all employees in order to meet their needs. 88 employees were trained as Mental Health First Aiders (with Mental Health First Aid England). A comprehensive program entitled “Headline” was rolled out in the agencies, thanks to 116 Headline Ambassador volunteers trained in a listening role. In 2020, the context led to a significant increase in the offer of physical and mental healthcare services. Simplified access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and to different specialists: yoga, meditation, massage, sports clubs (including running, cycling, etc.), was supplemented with a 24/7 hotline. Two systems have been put in place to help employees suffering from isolation: Four rooms (small format) and Publicis Talk (forum type), in order to break this solitude, and to share informally with colleagues facing the same difficulties. Access to the Headspace application was made free for everyone. The UK Executive Committee held regular plenary sessions to answer all employees’ questions, and the internal communication plan has always accompanied government health announcements. Two internal surveys were dedicated to employee well-being, and another survey focused on engagement. When the agencies switched to working from home, the 5,000 employees were provided with the appropriate equipment, in line with a culture of flexibility encouraged in recent years. During lockdown periods, special attention was paid to parents of young children – or employees looking after elderly parents, by reducing their working hours and allowing them greater flexibility in personal organization;
- in India, the Health & Wellness system relies on various permanent activities: 100% of employees have access to health professionals and doctors both on-site and in virtual format: from gynecologists to physiotherapists and dieticians, the last two already having practices on the premises throughout the year. In 2020, remote consultations were made available to everyone. Nutrition workshops are organized with professionals to answer any questions, including questions related to future maternity. Health support workshops are an opportunity to deal with other issues such as breast cancer screening, blood donations, eye tests and dental appointments. Yoga and Zumba workshops throughout the year are still very popular, including virtual ones.100% of employees can access a comprehensive social services program via an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which offers easy access to specialist medical consultations, a well-being portal with a 24/7 virtual access to contact doctors, and a type of medical concierge service for short-term solutions or assistance (stress, anxiety, insomnia, etc.). The social welfare scheme continues to improve the coverage of specific healthcare costs due to an ad hoc governance system, particularly for employees suffering from chronic diseases (diabetes, HIV, etc.), or those facing major surgery or interventions (cancer, fertility, etc.). The family module continues to be the most popular module as it helps with work/life balance, offering access to child protection and childcare services, as well as services tailored to caring for elderly relatives. With the pandemic, new provisions have been implemented: a free 24/7 phone line to contact doctors to help manage lockdown-related anxiety or stress. Free medical consultations (by phone, apps, video, etc.) have been stepped up. Covid-19 has been included in the social security cover for employees (and members of their families), and a specific offer has been put in place to provide additional affordable family assistance to help employees and their families in the face of upheaval created by the pandemic. In this unusual year, the management of the entities demonstrated its support by leading and/or participating in various workshops organized during Global Wellness Week, showing that the subject of well-being at work is serious and important;
