The whistleblowing system (see Section 4.2.6 below) in place within the Groupe was expanded to cover alerts relating to the duty of care and was consolidated around a single address, ethicsconcerns@publicisgroupe.com. It is designed to receive and handle internal or external alerts.
4.2.4.3 Risks monitored as part of the Duty of Care Plan
The specific mapping of risks and serious breaches related to the duty of care is updated by the Internal Audit and Risk Department. It was presented to the Strategy and Risk Committee of the Supervisory Board during the first quarter of 2021 and is considered to be still relevant. No risk of serious harm to the three pillars of the Duty of Care Plan had been identified.
The Groupe’s intellectual services activities do not expose the Company to serious risks. However, three types of risks require special attention. The first relates to mental health, a risk that has increased in recent years and to which the Talent/HR teams have mobilized to provide employees with solutions that can help them. The second concerns potential risks related to the management of personal data, whether of employees or clients, in a context of increased cyberattacks. The guidelines of the Global Data Protection Office (GDPO) in terms of data protection were closely monitored by the operational teams, and the Global Security Office (GSO) has strengthened its controls at all levels, also monitored by the Internal Data Audit Department. Lastly, in view of the news in recent years and the intensity of extreme weather events that can occur simultaneously and affect some of the teams and IT infrastructures, the Steering Committee supported a project aimed at analyzing environmental and climate risks further (see Section 4.3).
4.2.4.4 Human rights and fundamental freedoms
Human rights and fundamental freedoms must be protected and respected whether in relation to employees, clients and partners, or suppliers:
- on the effective abolition of child labor: Publicis Groupe only hires adult employees. Short-term job shadowing (lasting a maximum of one to three weeks) may, however, be offered to minors as part of their school career or professional apprenticeship, subject to obtaining authorization from parents and in agreement with the educational institution;
- on the elimination of all forms of forced labor or modern slavery, and the fight against discrimination: the Groupe applies a Zero Tolerance policy with regard to forced labor or modern slavery, and discrimination in all its forms, against all persons. The Groupe’s employees may receive legal support in the performance of their duties, in countries with low levels of legal protection;
- on freedom of expression and freedom of association:freedom of movement, association and expression are some of the key principles recognized and protected by the Groupe;
- on combating physical, sexual or moral harassment: the Groupe has a Zero Tolerance policy with regard to all forms of harassment and regularly trains its employees on these topics;
- on women’s rights: in 2018, Publicis Groupe signed the Women Empowerment Principles (WEP), seven fundamental principles listed by the United Nations to act tangibly to promote women’s rights (or equality of rights) worldwide and at all levels. Publicis Groupe is the owner of the Women’s Forum, an international platform that defends women’s rights and human rights, as well as the essential contribution of women to the economy and society;
- on the protection of personal data: as these data are specific to each individual, they must be protected over time and be protected from any risk of theft, intrusion or falsification.
On these six points, the Groupe asks its suppliers to comply with these standards, which are part of the CSR for Business Guidelines and are appended to the contracts signed between the Groupe and its suppliers.
Pro bono campaigns, like volunteering (see Section 4.2.9) in support of organizations or general interest causes promoting human rights (of women, men and children) and opposing all forms of exclusion and discrimination, demonstrate the long-term commitment of the Groupe, as well as its agencies and employees, to defending human rights.
4.2.4.5 Personal health and safety
Publicis Groupe is a "people business": the Company’s women and men are our main asset. Several topics receive special attention:
- stress prevention and mental health: the agencies are responsible for taking measures to prevent psychosocial risks whether relating to work organization or team management. The agencies have set up ad hoc support systems for employees in difficulty, which, in addition to telemedicine, offers physical and psychological support – with dedicated applications, with psychological help lines and access to health professionals and sports sessions;
- prevention of MSDs (Musculoskeletal Disorders): employees are encouraged to make known their needs in terms of work equipment, in order to have the tools adapted to their job. The agencies have put activities in place to combat sedentary behavior and encourage good posture;
- safety at work: all employees are trained, on an annual basis, in office evacuation via simulations and are informed of what to do in the event of extraordinary events (earthquakes in at-risk locations). Volunteer employees are trained in first aid.
