WPP has mandated that its employees be in-office more often. In an internal memo to staff, CEO Mark Read of ad behemoth WPP – which operates Ogilvy, Grey, VML, Hill and Knowlton and Wavemaker – informed employees that, starting in April, they are now required to spend an average of four days per week in-office.

“We do our best work when we are together in person,” Read said. “It’s easier to learn from each other, it’s a better way to mentor colleagues starting out in the industry, and it helps us win pitches as a truly integrated team.”

Read added, “For all our technological sophistication, we remain a people business. Across everything we do, our success still relies on the fundamentals of human connection, creativity and relationships.”

A representative from WPP tells strategy, “our new global office attendance policy requires our people to work in the office for a minimum of four days per week on average. This includes at least two Fridays a month to ensure consistent office presence.” Also, WPP employees will have one flexible workday per week, with specific arrangements determined in consultation with their manager.

Last spring, Omnicom, the world’s largest ad agency by combined revenue pending approval of its deal to acquire IPG – and owner of BBDO, DDB and TBWA – mandated that all its American employees return to the office at least three days a week. Later in the summer, ad giant Publicis Groupe changed its return-to-work policy, also mandating three days a week, and dismissing dozens of American employees in violation of the directive that fall.

A Publicis Canada representative tells strategy that three days a week is a global policy and applicable in Canada, adding that “the expectation is that everyone is in the office or at other work-related events (such as client locations, shoots, studios, meetings, etc.) on Mondays, as well as two other days per week, each week.” The company added that employees hired in a region that does not have an office, or with other personal or medical exception, are encouraged to reach out to their manager and HR to formalize their remote working arrangement.

According to KPMG’s most recent survey of 800 business owners and C-suite leaders across Canada, 83% of Canadian CEOs expect a full return-to-office within the next three years, up from 55% in 2023. The same KPMG study noted that nine in 10 leaders report “they are likely to reward employees who make an effort to come into the office with favourable assignments, pay raises or promotions,” up from 77% last year.