Independent full service agency Equality Media + Marketing, already with a four-day work week, is giving staff an extra 19 days leave.
Data metrics over the 20 weeks since the launch of equality time (a four day, 32 hour week), show a 68% reduction in time spent in meetings and an increase of 11% in active tasks, with staff reporting to be more energised and more productive.
Founder and managing director Marilla Akkermans: “We’ve only seen positive results since switching to the four-day work week, and while we are a human-led business, even I’ve been surprised at not only how quickly the team have adapted and benefited from this change, but also how we have as a business.
"We know that as much as we can give to our people we always get back more – when our team is happier, well rested, and feels valued they are more committed and produce brilliant work and results for our clients. That is why we’re bringing in equality care.
"We want to acknowledge the whole person we have on the team, and sometimes things happen in our personal life that makes work more difficult. If we can offer support across the most common areas we see our staff struggle with, like our menopause and menstruation leave, then we’re doing our bit.”
Staff at Equality Media + Marketing get up to 19 days additional leave over and above standard entitlements as well as an extra week of annual leave when they have reached three years of service:
- Menopause / menstruation leave – 5 days paid per year
- Gender affirmation leave – 10 days paid
- Cultural / ceremonial leave – 2 days paid per year
- Pawternity leave – 2 days paid per year
- Loyalty leave – 1 week additional paid leave after 3 years of continuous service
Akkermans also announced two new senior hires.
Sam Robson joins as business director marketing and creative bringing exceptional experience in marketing and property development, having previously worked with Resimax Group, Cedar Woods and Metricon.
Robson said: “Joining such a progressive full-service agency in such an exciting time was an opportunity too good to refuse. Coming in off the back of such solid client growth, I’m excited to work in with a team that truly understands the value of results driven creative”
Leading Equality’s media offering is Katie Balfe, with extensive agency, marketing and consulting experience across Asia, North America and locally.
Balfe said: “I have watched Equality, from the very start reinvent the agency model, to successfully deliver a truly committed environment that really values people. To be invited to be part of such a tight knit, commercially astute team is tremendous”.
Equality managing director and founder Marilla Akkermans said: “Sam and Katie resonated culturally right off the bat, and it was clear to us how they could both add to our culture.
"We are a progressive workplace, and these new hires will only solidify our growth and continue to underpin the importance of senior resources in a team”.
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