WPP employees petition against return-to-office mandate

An online petition on Change.org, set up by ‘concerned WPP employees’, has obtained over 7,000 signatures and asks WPP to reconsider its approach and prioritise employee wellbeing. 

It is not possible to verify how many of those who have signed are WPP employees because it is an open online petition.

In an internal memo circulated by WPP last week, chief executive Mark Read informed employees of the new rule, which will require most staff to spend an average of four days a week in the office from April.

The online petition reads: “In a post-Covid world where many businesses have embraced flexible working styles, WPP’s decision seems to be a step backwards in supporting employee wellbeing and work-life balance, citing anecdotal data that either does not exist or has been misrepresented. The mental and social effects on employees due to such rigid work regimes can be extensive.

“Therefore, we call on Mark Read and the decision-making body at WPP to reconsider this mandate and adopt a policy that respects and prioritises the well-being and preferences of its employees. It’s time to move towards a future of work that’s flexible, mindful, inclusive, and evidence-based.”

WPP employs 111,000 people globally, according to its interim H1 2024 financial results. Its businesses include media agencies GroupM and Mindshare, data and technology company Choreograph and creative agencies Grey and Ogilvy.

A WPP spokesperson said: “We believe this is the right policy for the long-term interests of the company as a whole, knowing that it won’t be popular with everyone. And we will take the time to implement it in a collaborative and pragmatic way with our teams.”

WPP joins a number of large employers to have changed their approach to flexible working recently. Amazon has implemented a return-to-office requirement as of this month (January 2025 ), while others including Boots, HSBC and Barclays have also asked staff to be present in the office more regularly. 

A study published in the Nature journal in June 2024 found that hybrid working results in no drop in productivity.