Advertising staff are reporting anxiety and stress as the industry transitions back to an office from remote working due to the pandemic in 2020.
Most are coming into the office three or more days a week but almost two-thirds of agency staff say their workload has increased.
An ebook, The Return to Workplace Guide for Adland, has been launched to help the industry navigate the challenges of this new world of work and to encourage mental wellbeing.
The guide features advice, tips and inspiration from industry leaders and clinical experts on managing employee and self wellbeing and safety.
The book was created by the Mentally Healthy Change Group (MHCG) with support from social purpose organisation UnLtd and Never Not Creative.
Contributors include Zenith Media CEO Nickie Scriven, Verizon Media managing director Paul Sigaloff, LinkedIn director of marketing solutions Prue Cox, SWM chief revenue officer Kurt Burnette, Ashton Media commercial director Tim Stuart-Harris, WellYou chief wellbeing officer Fleur Marks, PubMatic regional director Peter Barry, IPG CEO Mark Coad, PHD head of growth and marketing Chloe Hooper. former Thinkerbell GM Ben Shepherd, JustEggs Digital CEO Nik Kontoulas, and Energx founder Sean Hall.
The guide book comes as a survey of more than 2,000 media agency staff in May revealed concerns about mental wellbeing and a return to the office:
- 25% cited high levels of anxiety (down from the depths of the pandemic), with a further 43% reporting medium levels of anxiety.
- 25% admitted to high levels of stress, with 47% citing medium levels.
- Respondents from agencies indicated greater levels of stress than their media owner partners.
Social enterprise MOOD Tea has partnered with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructors to offer a bespoke training package to the industry.
The training is being delivered by Chloe Hooper, a qualified mental health first aid trainer and active member of the MHCG.
Kate Holland, co-chair of the Mentally Healthy Change Group and account director at UnLtd: “As an industry that thrives on connection and collaboration, the pandemic has really shifted the way we engage and communicate together.
"With high levels of reported anxiety and angst on returning to the workplace, there was a need to find new measures in building reassurance and confidence in bridging these gaps.
“This new ebook is a great resource for those who are looking for guidance on being proactive given the current unpredictable climate.
"As an industry, we want to continue fostering a positive relationship with one another and continue breaking down the stigma of opening up and being vulnerable together about mental health.”
UnLtd CEO Chris Freel: “UnLtd will always advocate for mental health and support services across the media industry. It is important to see industry leaders band together for a great cause.
"At times like this true leadership comes to the forefront, we are all living in uncertain times, and the more we can open up, share our concerns and our tips, the more likely we are to ensure our amazing industry and its people can continue to thrive.
“It is really galvanising to see industry leaders band together for a great cause. With the right initiatives and incentives, it’s the smaller actions that can have the greater impact. It's the one short conversation that can ultimately save a life.”
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