- in France, each agency organizes its own priority action plan; the measures implemented cover a wide range of needs, such as consultations with an ergonomist to help correct problematic seating postures; eye exercises demonstrated by a specialist (orthoptist, etc.) or via webinar sessions designed to raise awareness on how to rest the eyes; access to fitness classes (or Yoga, relaxation, meditation, Pilates, etc.); regular sessions with nutritionists or dieticians, and free supplies of fresh fruit, fruit juice, etc.; on-site massages by professionals (physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, masseurs, foot reflexologists).Since the beginning of the health crisis, several actions have been strengthened, with:
- weekly online sporting meet-ups for everyone and virtual health education sessions),
- weekly “Smile with Publicis” communication covering family activities,
- new health and well-being prevention programs, including sleep, in particular,
- the implementation of a telemedicine service for all employees, with Médecin Direct,
- e-learning courses to better manage working from home, in addition to a comprehensive program on best practices for organizations that use remote working,
- the establishment of a psychological support unit to help employees who need this.
- Similar approaches adapted to meet employee expectations exist throughout Europe;
- in the United States, the 2020 program was ramped up to provide closer support to employees during these long months, with prevention and flexibility as the watchwords, in four main areas:
- virtual access to doctors for everyone, free of charge. The Groupe has also set up a partnership with Catapult Virtual Checkup to set up an individualized prevention program from home,
- flexibility was the second key point of this plan, in order to allow those in charge of family to organize their time, even to take time off to take care of their family (children and elderly parents),
- free access to Covid-19 tests and vaccines,
- the extension of social security coverage in order to deal with individual situations during this atypical year.
- At the same time, the four pillars of the protection and prevention regime were strengthened:
- the Healthy Living Wellness Program set up and managed by Re:Sources US: it offers employees and their families health coverage and various services; everyone can benefit from personalized monitoring thanks to the Health Coaching, very popular because it has a strong tangible impact. The satisfaction rate is above 90%, and participants confirm the motivational impact of this on-line assistance which has sometimes even changed their lives,
- Teladoc, the telemedicine service with free 24/7 year-round access to doctors for consultations from mobile phones or by video, whether the employee is at work, at home or on vacation. In 2020, it was extended to all employees,
- the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which has been in place for some years now, offers employees online preventive physical and mental healthcare support that is individually-tailored and confidential. It can be used by employees and their close family members. It offers access to a number of non-healthcare services, such as social or financial services,
- Bright Horizons Back Up Care Program, is a system that enables families to better address the challenges of finding a balance between their professional and personal lives, through care facilities (for children or elderly or sick parents) and home-help solutions, at very affordable prices, to cope with unexpected events;
- in South Africa, AIDS-HIV prevention and screening sessions are also held every year, and during Wellness Days workshops are open to all employees on the classic themes of well-being at work, with discovery sessions on meditation (mindfulness). With lockdown and working from home, many online programs have been made available to all employees, with particular attention to the stress caused by the pandemic due to the economic uncertainty. Lastly, faced with the difficulties of certain families affected by the sudden cessation of certain activities, putting at risk the sometimes fragile family balance, the Groupe set up a Solidarity Fund, which has provided temporary financial support for 75 employees to help them get through this period.
